Electronic imaging apparatus

ABSTRACT

In an electronic imaging apparatus, image information of an image signal photoelectrically converted from an image incident is stored in image information storing means in a format dependent upon a type of the applied storage device. Provided therein are communication means for transmitting and/or receiving image information generated in this apparatus or the other equivalent apparatuses while an operation mode of the apparatus is set for communication and switch means for causing the communication means to start a communication mode operation.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/538,468, filed on Oct.3, 1995, which was abandoned upon the filing hereof which was acontinuation of application Ser. No. 08/154,483, filed Nov. 19, 1993,abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an electronic imaging apparatus and,more particularly, to an electronic imaging apparatus capable oftransmission of image data thereby.

There has been developed an image information storing or recordingapparatus, and/or, retrieving or reproducing apparatus, such as anelectronic still camera or an electronic image data filing apparatus forstoring or retrieving image data on or from an applied storage device ormedium. Digital still cameras or electronic still cameras, DSC or SMC,(called DSC hereinafter) of conventional type generally employ solidstate electronic imaging devices, such as CCD imagers, for photoelectricconversion to obtain a picture signal corresponding to objects intendedto be picked-up or photographed. The picture signal issued from theimaging device is processed by the conventional process circuit forprocessing so as to obtain a video or TV signal of the fashion adaptiveto be recorded or stored, and the processed signal is converted into thedigital form representative of the image information intended. In thementioned cameras, the image information is represented and conveyed inthe form of digital data, and the data is stored on a semiconductormemory card as the storage device or medium applied.

The electronic imaging apparatus such as a DSC is available ascommercial products for various applications. In such a DSC, a greatnumber of still pictures or image data are stored or recorded in theform of a data file in the storage media such as memory cards or floppydisks. Therefore, the image data retrieval property determines thecommercial value or utility value of the DSC.

A system for the transmission of the image information obtained by suchan electronic imaging apparatus and the transmission and receipt of theinformation between the apparatus and the other apparatus is useful foreffective communication. However, there has been no system capable ofperforming a such function with a simple structure.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,501 to Sakai discloses a still videoapparatus that can accept an image signal from a sensor and store it ona magnetic disc, provide it to a video monitor as a composite videosignal, or provide it to a personal computer as a digital bit stream. Toaccommodate these different formats, the Sakai system necessarily isrelatively complicated. Moreover, the overall system complexity isactually higher, since the Sakai system offloads some of its processingrequirements on peripheral devices. For example, the Sakai device simplydigitized composite signals stored on the magnetic disc and suppliesthem to the personal computer, thereby relying on the personal computerto perform any necessary processing to convert the digitized compositevideo signal into a usable image format (e.g., PCX format, TIFF format,etc.).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided anelectronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storing them in anapplied storage device, the apparatus comprising, image pick-up meansfor generating and outputting an image signal photoelectricallyconverted from an image incident thereon, image information storingmeans for storing image information represented by the image signalissued from the image pick-up means, a format of a signal to be storedbeing dependent upon a type of the applied storage device, communicationmeans for transmitting and/or receiving image information generated inthis apparatus or the other equivalent apparatuses while an operationmode of the apparatus is set for communication, and switch means forcausing the communication means to start a communication mode operation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storing them inan applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, image pick-up meansfor generating and outputting an image signal photoelectricallyconverted from an image incident thereon, image information storingmeans for storing image information represented by the image signalissued from the image pick-up means, a format of a signal to be storedbeing dependent upon a type of the applied storage device, communicationmeans for transmitting and/or receiving image information, thecommunication means capable of permitting information communication withone of a plurality of different external devices connected to thisapparatus via predetermined connection means, and interface recognitionmeans for recognizing and causing the interface to function in a statusappropriate to the external device connected via the connector means, onthe basis of a recognition for a functioning status of the interface tobe applied.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storing them onan applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, image pick-up meansfor generating and outputting an image signal photoelectricallyconverted from an image incident thereon, image information storingmeans for storing image information represented by the image signalissued from the image pick-up means, a format of a signal to be storedbeing dependent upon a type of the applied storage device, and play-backmeans for playing-back an image once photoelectrically converted by theimage pick-up means to an image signal or further converted to acorresponding image data appropriate to the applied storage device, onthe basis of an operation of a specific operating switch or sectionwhich is usually used for a different purpose for a photographingoperation.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem on an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, imageinformation storing means for storing image information represented bythe image signal issued from the image pick-up means, a format of asignal to be stored being dependent upon a type of the supplied storagedevice, external commands receiving means for receiving various commandsfrom an external device connected therewith via a transmission channel,and executing means for carrying out operations corresponding to thecommands received via the external commands receiving means.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory or asubdirectory supported by a disk operating system, and erase operationmode setting means for selectively setting an operation mode of eraseoperation to be carried out for the applied stored device, the operationmode set thereupon to be selected from a plurality of erasing operationmodes provided in advance for this apparatus.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory or asubdirectory supported by a disk operating system, and erase operationcommencing means for commencing an erasing operation for the appliedstorage device in response to an operation to a trigger switch means forphotographing while a erase operation mode is set.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory or asub-directory supported by a disk operating system, and formattingoperation commencing means for commencing a formatting operation for theapplied storage device in response to an operation to an erase operationswitch means provided on this apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storing them onan applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, image pick-up meansfor generating and outputting an image signal photoelectricallyconverted from an image incident thereon, image information storingmeans for storing image information represented by the image signalissued from the image pick-up means, a format of a signal to be storedbeing dependent upon a type of the applied storage device, communicationmeans for transmitting and/or receiving information signal via a networkconnected therewith, and power source control means for automaticallymaking a power source circuit of this apparatus to be ready for supplypower, in response to a reception of a call signal of the informationsignal received via the communication means.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory orsub-directory supported by a disk operating system, communication meansfor transmitting and/or receiving image data or further subsidiary datavia a transmission channel connected therewith, and precedingtransmission means for transmitting data for the directory and/or thesubsidiary data relating to a transmission of image information itself,when a transmitting operation mode is set.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory or asub-directory supported by a disk operating system, communication meansfor transmitting and/or receiving image data or further subsidiary datavia a transmission channel connected therewith, and precedingtransmission means for transmitting data representative of a capacityreservable for receiving an image data, to a sender side device, inanticipation for the reception when a receiving operation mode is set.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem on an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, imageinformation storing means for storing image information represented bythe image signal issued from the image pick-up means, a format of asignal to be stored being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, communication means for transmitting and/or receivinginformation signal via a network connected therewith, and power sourcecontrol means for executing a power off process for turning off a powersource circuit when a communication with the other party fails to beheld in a predetermined period of time.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an adapter device applicable to an electronic imaging apparatuswhich comprises image pick-up means for obtaining an image signal byphotoelectrical conversion, image data storing means for storing imagedata representative of the image on an applied storage device andcommunication means for communicating the image data to the other partyvia transmission channel connected therewith, the adapter devicecomprising, first interface means for communication with the electronicimaging apparatus, second interface means for communication via thetransmission channel through a modem connected inbetweeen, and controlmeans for establishing a transmission channel for image datacommunication via the second interface means by designating the otherparty on the basis of a user's operation to operation keys or sectionsthereof and for controlling the image data communication for theelectronic imaging apparatus via the first and second interface means.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan electronic imaging apparatus for storing image data in the form ofimage data files allocated in an applied storage device, the apparatuscomprising, dummy data adding means for adding dummy data on an imagedata to be stored, the dummy data of an amount corresponding to aremained capacity of a file which has a uniform capacity previouslydefined, an administrative uniformity of file size is maintainedthereby.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an electronic imaging apparatus for taking pictures and storingthem in an applied storage device, the apparatus comprising, imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an analog image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon, image datagenerating means for generating digital image data corresponding to theimage signal outputted from the image pick-up means, a format of thedigital image data being dependent upon a type of the applied storagedevice, data storing means for storing the image data on the appliedstorage device in the form of a file organized by a directory or asub-directory supported by a disk operating system, and frame numberrepresenting means for representing a successive frame number forrespective images picked-up by the image pick-up means, on the basis ofa position of a designated file in the directory.

Other objects and features will be clarified from the followingdescription with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram showing an image data transmitting andreceiving system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail a system for transmitting and receivingthe data between the frame memory 5 and memory card 11 under control ofthe system controller 12 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart when signals in various parts of the circuitshown in FIG. 3 are recorded by image compression recording;

FIG. 5 shows a timing chart for a play-back operation like that shown inFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows an operation state of the camera displayed on the LCD 16 ofFIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show flow charts of routines for the image transmittingand receiving side in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 shows conditions #1 and #1' in the steps S4 and S23, theconditions #2 and #2' in the steps S8 and S28 and the causes #3 and #3'in the steps S12 and S34, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 shows roles of the trigger 2 and communication mode switches 15Band 15K among the operation switches in FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 shows an example of the structure of the modem 40 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 shows state transitions of the modem 40;

FIG. 13 shows a flow chart for a routine of the modem controlled by thecamera under the condition where the modem is connected to the telephoneline by the telephone unit;

FIG. 14 shows system structure of the embodiment;

FIGS. 15 and 16 show operation routines of the embodiment;

FIG. 17 shows functions of various switches in this embodiment;

FIGS. 18 shows a block diagram of an embodiment according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 19 shows a flow chart for the reception side routine in theembodiment;

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of the play-back system of the embodiment;

FIGS. 21 and 22 show flow charts for the reception side systemoperations in the embodiment of FIG. 20;

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of an embodiment, which is similar to FIG.20;

FIG. 24 shows an example of an image which is reproduced by theembodiment;

FIG. 25 shows a timing chart of the reception side operation in theembodiment shown in FIG. 23;

FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of an embodiment;

FIG. 27 shows a view of the configuration of the control file;

FIG. 28 shows the relevant data;

FIGS. 29 and 30 show flow charts of the routine for the transmission andreception system controllers 12 in the embodiment;

FIGS. 31 and 32 show flow charts for the routine of the communicationprocess;

FIG. 33 shows examples of writing in the control file of thetransmission and reception in FIGS. 29 and 30;

FIG. 34 shows another example of the relevant data (for transmission)shown in FIG. 28;

FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of the DSC 120 in the embodiment;

FIG. 36 shows a block diagram of a controller of the DSC 120;

FIG. 37 shows a block diagram of a system formed by connecting a PC 122as an external unit to the connector 116 of the DSC 120;

FIG. 38 shows a block diagram of the system formed by connecting a modem123 to the DSC 120;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged-scale view showing the operation switches 114a to114f in FIG. 36;

FIG. 40 is a view showing the display 113 in FIG. 36;

FIG. 41 shows examples of displays on the display 113 in FIG. 36;

FIG. 42 shows examples of displays on the display 113 when the modem 123is connected and designated;

FIG. 43 shows a flow chart for a "reception interruption process"sub-routine;

FIG. 44 shows a flow chart for a "trigger switch process" sub-routinewhen the trigger switch 119 is operated;

FIG. 45 shows a flow chart for a "modem switch process" sub-routinewhich is called when the modem switch 114e is operated;

FIG. 46 shows a flow chart for a "modem mode release process"sub-routine in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 shows a modification of the connection of the DSC in FIG. 35;

FIG. 48 shows a view when the remote control unit 135 is connected tothe DSC 120;

FIG. 49 is a view showing the configuration of data in the memory card117;

FIG. 50 shows an image file comprising a header and image data;

FIG. 51 is a view showing the data configuration of the tuple;

FIG. 52 shows an image pick-up information tuple in the memory card;

FIG. 53 shows a comment tuple in the memory card;

FIG. 54 shows a control file in the memory card;

FIG. 55 shows a display on the monitor;

FIG. 56 shows image pick-up data in the pertinent file and currentcomment;

FIG. 57 shows an image pick-up data and current comment displayed on themonitor 121;

FIG. 58 shows a flow chart for a "comment reference/change process"sub-routine;

FIG. 59 shows a flow chart for an "image pick-up with comment"sub-routine operation;

FIG. 60 is a time chart for transmission of directory transmissioncommand and directory data between the PC 122 and DSC 120;

FIG. 61 shows a configuration of the root directory;

FIG. 62 shows a format of a 32-byte directory entry;

FIG. 63 is a time chart for transmission of comment transmission commandand comment data between the PC 122 and DSC 120;

FIG. 64 is a flow chart for the "comment transmission command process"sub-routine in the comment transmission operation;

FIG. 65 is a time chart for transmitting comment write command and writecommand data between the PC 122 and DSC 120;

FIG. 66 is a flow chart for the "comment write command process"sub-routine in the command write operation;

FIG. 67 shows a menu display on the monitor in the changing operation;

FIG. 68 shows a display when producing a sub-directory;

FIG. 69 shows a menu display when the file movement is selected;

FIG. 70 shows a display for the destination of the file movement;

FIG. 71 shows a display for the file movement destination;

FIG. 72 shows an operation on the side of the PC 122 in the abovesub-directory generation process;

FIG. 73 shows a flow chart for the "file movement" sub-routine;

FIG. 74 is a time chart of communication signals between the PC 122 andDSC 120 when generating a sub-directory;

FIG. 75 is a flow chart for the "sub-directory generation commandprocess" sub-routine in FIG. 74;

FIG. 76 is a time chart of communication signals between the PC 122 andDSC 120 in the file moving operation;

FIG. 77 is a flow chart for the "file movement process" sub-routine inFIG. 76;

FIG. 78 is a flow chart for the "trigger switch process" sub-routine inthe image pick-up process operation based on trigger switch operation inthe DSC 120;

FIG. 79 shows a flow chart for the "erase switch" sub-routine;

FIG. 80 shows a configuration of FAT which is recorded subsequent to theboot sector;

FIG. 81 shows display screens of the display 113 or monitor for all dataerasing process;

FIG. 82 shows displays on the display 113 or monitor at the time of theerasing mode selection;

FIG. 83 is a flow chart for the "UP switch process" sub-routine;

FIG. 84 shows a display when the memory card is incapable of erasing;

FIG. 85 shows a "trigger switch process" sub-routine for effectingerasing by operating the trigger switch 119;

FIG. 86 is a flow chart for the "all data erase A mode process"sub-routine;

FIG. 87 is an "all data erase B mode process" sub-routine;

FIG. 88 is a flow chart of the "all data erase C mode process"sub-routine in FIG. 85;

FIG. 89 is a flow chart of the "one frame erase process" sub-routine inFIG. 85;

FIG. 90 is a view showing a leading of directory entry which has beensubjected to one frame erasing;

FIG. 91 shows a flowchart for production of a warning;

FIG. 92 shows a perspective view showing a DSC according to anembodiment;

FIG. 93 shows an enlarged-scale view showing the operation switches 114ato 114e;

FIG. 94 shows a detailed view of the display 113;

FIG. 95 shows a block diagram showing a controller of the DSC 120;

FIG. 96 shows a block diagram of a system for communication with anexternal unit via a telephone line;

FIG. 97 shows a flow chart for the power-on operation;

FIG. 98 shows a flow chart of the "communication process" routine;

FIG. 99 shows a block diagram showing a system formed by connecting a PC231 to the DSC 230;

FIG. 100 shows a time chart for the transmitted and received signals SDand RD;

FIG. 101 shows a power-on operation of the circuit portion of the DSC220 shown in FIG. 96;

FIG. 102 shows a block diagram of the adapter 150 and the connection ofDSC 153;

FIG. 103 is a perspective view showing the state of connection betweenthe adapter 150 and each connected apparatus or unit;

FIG. 104 is a view of the memory area arrangement in the memory card asrecording medium;

FIG. 105 is a view showing the configuration of the FAT which isrecorded subsequent to the boot sector;

FIG. 106 shows entries constituting the root directory;

FIG. 107 shows a format of a 32-byte directory;

FIG. 108 shows a specification tuple, a data form tuple, an imagepick-up information tuple and a comment tuple stored in the headerentry;

FIG. 109 is a view showing the data configuration of the tuple type;

FIG. 110 shows a prior art DSC image file management method;

FIG. 111 is a view showing an image data recording area which isprovided subsequent to a data management area in the proposed image datamanagement system;

FIG. 112 shows a "process at the time of card insertion";

FIG. 113 shows an operation of executing image pick-up with depressionof the trigger switch 119;

FIG. 114 shows an example of display of the tree structure;

FIG. 115 shows a perspective view showing DSC as the embodiment of theelectronic image pick-up apparatus;

FIG. 116 shows a block diagram for a signal processing system of theDSC;

FIG. 117 shows a switch arrangement of the operation switch group 311;

FIG. 118 shows file name, file A, file B, . . . registered in the rootdirectory, and image data recorded successively in the designated memoryareas;

FIG. 119 shows a sub-directory;

FIG. 120 shows a view showing a further specific example of thehierarchical directory structure for image data files in the DSC;

FIG. 121 shows a directory entry;

FIG. 122 shows a plan view showing the display 312;

FIG. 123 shows states of display on the display 123 when the recordingfile is moved;

FIG. 124 shows a display of directory in the recording mode;

FIG. 125 shows an LCD display 312 in a state of display of a secondhierarchical layer sub-directory section registered in the rootdirectory;

FIG. 126 shows a flow chart for the "switch process" in the DSC;

FIG. 127 shows a flow chart for the "directory production process"sub-routine;

FIG. 128 shows a flow chart for the "UP switch process" sub-routine;

FIG. 129 shows a flow chart for the "final entry process" sub-routine;

FIG. 130 shows a flow chart for the "directory UP process" sub-routine;

FIG. 131 shows a flow chart for the "sub-directory process" sub-routine;

FIG. 132 shows a flow chart for the "root directory process"sub-routine;

FIG. 133 shows states of display on the display 312 in a differentembodiment;

FIG. 134 shows states of display on the display section 312 in theembodiment of the DSC in the play-back operation; and

FIG. 135 shows states of display on the display section 312 in the DSCmainly in play-back operation.

Tables 1 to 11 show relationships for explaining the operations of theembodiments according to the present invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In an embodiment of the invention, an operating switch section of acamera is provided with a switch for starting a communication function.In response to the operation of this switch, modems connected to atelephone line are controlled to permit the transmission and receptionof camera (DSC) image data via a telephone line.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image data transmitting andreceiving system using a camera according to the invention.

This system transmits and receives image data between cameras 30A and30B which are connected to each other via a telephone line LINE.Telephone units 50A and 50B are connected to the telephone line LINE,and modems 40A and 40B are connected to the respective telephone units50A and 50B. The cameras 30A and 30B directly access the modems 40A and40B for transmitting and receiving image data via the telephone line.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

An image focused via a lens 1 on a CCD 2 is converted to an electricsignal, which is subjected to a predetermined processing in an imagesignal processor 3 to obtain a video signal. As is generally known, theCCD is an image pick-up device for generating and outputting an analogimage signal photoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon.The video signal is converted by an A/D converter 4 into a digitalsignal to be recorded in a frame memory 5. The digital signal is alsosubjected to a reproducing process by a reproduce processor 6 and thenconverted by a D/A converter 7 into an analog signal which is fed to anelectronic view finder 8 and also to an output terminal. Video data thatis read out from the frame memory 5 is compressed in a datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 and then fed through a cardinterface (I/F) 10 to be recorded in a memory card 11.

In play-back, the video data that is read out from the memory card 11via the card I/F 10 is recorded in the frame memory 5. The video datathat is read out from the frame memory 5 is, like the previous case, fedthrough the reproduce processor 6 and D/A converter 7 to the electronicview finder 8 and output terminal.

The frame memory 5 is controlled by a memory controller 13, which isoperated according to a sync signal output from a sync signal generator14 and also to a control signal output from a system controller 12. Thesystem controller 12 controls the data compressing/decompressing circuit9, card I/F 10, memory controller 13, etc. in response to variousoperation signals issued from the operation switch section 15.

The operation switch section 15 receives information indicative of theoperating state of the following various switches instructing theoperation of the camera and sends out the information to the systemcontroller 12. As the switches are a trigger 1 switch 15A forinstructing exposure operation, focus lock operation, etc., a trigger 2switch 15B for instructing recording operation, a minus and a plus feedswitch 15C and 15D for selecting image in a play-back operation, aREC/PLAY switch 15E for instructing recording/play-back operation, apicture/sound recording switch 15F, a play-back mode switch 15G, anormal mode switch 15H, a high speed continuous (successive)photographing switch 15I, and a low speed continuous photographingswitch 15J. An LCD 16 displays the camera operation state under controlof the system controller 12.

In this embodiment, as before-mentioned, the modem connected to thetelephone line for data transmission and reception through the telephoneline, the communication controller 17 connected to the system controller12 and a serial interface (I/F) 18 connected to the modem side areprovided. Further, a communication mode switch 15K is provided in theoperation switch section 15.

FIG. 3 shows in greater detail a system for transmitting and receivingthe data between the frame memory 5 and memory card 11 under control ofthe system controller 12.

The A/D converter 4 is connected via an A/D bus and a D/A bus to theinput side of the frame memory 5, to the output side of which isconnected the data compressing/decompressing circuit 9 via a memory databus. Parameters that are necessary for a compression/decompressionprocess are stored in a code storage RAM 19, and its writing and readingare controlled by the data compressing/decompressing circuit 9.

The card I/F 10 which is connected between the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 and the memory card 11, has switches10A and 10B and a card address generator 10C. To two input terminals Aand B of the switch 10A input connected are a datacompression/decompression card control signal from the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 and a system control card controlsignal from the system controller 12, respectively. To two inputterminals A and B of the switch 10B connected are acompression/decompression data bus from the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 and a data bus from the systemcontroller 12. The switching of the input terminals of the switches 10Aand 10B is controlled by an access signal from the system controller 12.

A card address generator 10C, responsive to the receipt of a cardaddress clock (CLK) supplied from the data compressing/decompressingcircuit 9 and a card address control signal supplied from the systemcontroller 12, controls the memory card 11 via a card address bus tothereby control the reading and writing addresses.

The frame memory controller 13, as noted above, responsive to thereceipt of the clock CLK from the sync signal generator 14 and thetrigger 2 signal and also receives the record/play-back switching signalRP and the data compression/decompression process start signal from thesystem controller 12, sends out clock signals A/D CLK and D/A CLK to theA/D and D/A converters 4 and 7, respectively, an address signal and amemory control signal to the frame memory 5 and a datacompression/decompression clock CLK to the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9.

The system controller 12, responsive to the trigger 2 signal and a stopsignal, etc. from the frame memory controller 13, supplies a startsignal START and a record/play-back signal RP to the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 and frame memory controller 13.

FIG. 4 shows a timing chart when signals in various parts of the circuitshown in FIG. 3 are recorded by image compression recording. In responseto the input of the trigger 2 signal synchronized with the datacompression/decompression clock CLK, A/D CLK is output and writeaddresses FWA0, FWA1, . . . , FWAe and read addresses FRA0, FRA1, . . ., FRAe are issued. These outputs are in response to the stop signalSTOP. To the A/D and D/A buses input data FID0, FID1, . . . , FIDe aresupplied. The memory control signals include a chip select signal CS, anoutput enable signal OE and a write enable signal WE. In response to thestart signal START, output data FOD0, FOD1, . . . , FODe are supplied tothe memory data bus.

The card address control signal causes initial address setting data tobe sent out in response to the stop signal STOP and also causes accessaddress setting data to be sent out in response to the access signal. Astart address for the record in the memory card is set by the stopsignal STOP. The card address data CAO in response to the initialaddress setting data, card address data CA1, CA2, . . . , CAe inresponse to the card address and card address data CA in response to theaccess address setting data are output.

To the card data bus, data CID0, CID1, . . . , CIDe are output via thecompression/decompression data bus in correspondence to these cardaddress data, and data DATA is output to the system control data bus incorrespondence to the card address data CA. As card control signals,chip select signal CS, write enable signal WE and output enable signalOE are output in the illustrated timings. The end signal END is outputin response to the start signal START to control the operation of datacompression recording from the frame memory 5 to the memory card 11.

FIG. 5 shows a timing chart for a play-back operation like that shown inFIG. 4. In the case of FIG. 5, the time of the data decompressionprocess in the data compressing/decompressing circuit 9 is controlledaccording to the start signal START, the memory card play-back start andaddress setting are caused in the illustrated timings, and adecompression play-back process from the memory card 11 to the framememory 5 and the reading and play-back operation of data in the framememory 5 are performed.

The REC/PLAY switch 15E functions as a transmission mode changing meanswhile the communication mode switch 15 K is set to be ready forcommunication, that is, the switch 15 K is turned on. On the LCD 16 fordisplaying the operation state of the camera, a record/play-back stateis displayed as shown in FIG. 6. In addition, a telephone mark isdisplayed as an example of image data transmission and receptionoperation. The telephone mark represents that the communication mode isset.

Now, a process embodying the invention will be described, in which thecamera is provided with a function of generating a modem control commandfor image transmission.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a flow chart of routines for the image transmittingand receiving side cameras.

A transmitting mode or a receiving mode is chosen as the transmissionmode to be put in effect on the basis of a designated state for thetransmission mode changing means, that is, the REC/PLAY switch 15E whilethe communication mode switch 15K is turned on.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, when the transmission side acknowledges thatthe modems have been connected (step S1), it waits for the turning-on ofthe communication mode switch 15K (step S2). In response to the turn onof the switch, "communication request" command is transmitted to thereception side. The reception side likewise acknowledges that the modemshave been connected (step S21), then acknowledges the reception of the"communication request" command from the transmission side (step S22),and checks whether normal receiving operation on the reception side canbe done (OK) (step S23). This check is made by checking whether thememory card has been inserted in the reception side camera, whether thememory card is provided with no protection, whether the memory card hassufficient empty capacity, whether the memory card has been formatted,and so forth. If it is not OK in the step S23, an NG command istransmitted (step S25), and the routine goes to a step S38.

If it is OK in the step S23, an "OK" command is transmitted to thetransmission side for displaying the telephone mark and recording mark"REC" on the LCD as shown in FIG. 6.

When the transmission side confirms the reception of the "OK" command(step S4), it turns on the LCD of its camera to display the telephonemark and play-back mark "PLAY" (step S5). At this time, the user selectsthe image to be transmitted by using the minus and plus feed switches15C and 15D. If it is determined that no "OK" command has been received,the routine goes to a step S15.

When the trigger 2 switch is turned on (step S6), a "data send(transmission) start" command START is transmitted to the reception side(step S7). When the reception side receives the "data send start"command START (step S27), it checks whether the transmission side imagedata file capacity is greater than the reception side memory card emptycapacity (OK) (step S28). If it is not OK, an "NG" command istransmitted (step S30), and the routine goes to a step S38. If it is OK,an "OK" command is transmitted to the transmission side.

The transmission side checks the reception of the "OK" command (stepS8). If the command has not been received, the routine goes to the stepS15. If the reception of the command is confirmed, data is sent(transmitted) (step S9). Then, LCD flickering (telephone markflickering) is caused (step S10), and a "data send end" command istransmitted (step S11). The reception side checks the reception of the"data send end" command (step S33). If the command has not beenreceived, the routine goes back to the step S31. If the reception of thecommand is confirmed, a check is made as to whether the reception memoryside memory card has sufficient empty capacity even after recording ofdata (OK) (step S34). If it is not OK, an "NG" command is transmitted(step S36), the LCD is turned on (step S37) and the routine goes to astep S38. If it is OK, an "OK" command is transmitted to thetransmission side (step S35).

The transmission side checks the reception of the "OK" command (stepS12). If the command has not been received, the routine goes to the stepS15. If the reception of the command is confirmed, the LCD is lighted(step S13), and a check is done as to whether the communication modeswitch 15K is "off". If the switch is not "off", the routine goes backto the step S6. If the switch is "off", a "communication end" command istransmitted to the reception side.

The reception side checks the reception of the "communication end"command (step S38). If the command has not been received, the routinegoes back to the step S27. If the reception of the command is confirmed,an "OK" command is transmitted to the transmission side (step S39), andthe LCD is turned off (step S40), thus bringing an end to the routine.

The reception of the "OK" command transmitted in the step S39 on thetransmission side is confirmed (step S16). If the command has not beenreceived, the routine goes back to the step S15. If the reception of thecommand is confirmed, the LCD is turned off (step S17), thus bringing anend to the routine.

The conditions #1 and #1' in the steps S4 and S23, the conditions #2 and#2' in the steps S8 and S28 and the causes #3 and #3' in the steps S12and S34, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, are as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 10 shows the roles of the trigger 2 and communication mode switches15B and 15K among the operation switches. In the photographing (i.e.recording: REC) mode, the trigger 2 switch 15B causes image recording,while it causes image transmission in the transmission mode. When thecommunication mode switch 15K issues a "communication request" commandand receives an "OK" command, the play-back and telephone marks aredisplayed, and the transmission mode of the camera is set.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the modem 40. A network control unit (NCU)40A transmits and receives serial communication data and ready signal toand from camera 30. A modem 40B is connected to the NCU 40A, telephoneunit 50 and telephone line for modulating and demodulating the imagedata.

FIG. 12 shows the state transition diagram of the modem 40. When thepower source is turned on, a local command state is set up, an ATA orATD command is output to the modem, and the camera is connected to thetelephone line. The ATA and ATD commands are signals which areprescribed for avoiding interference of transmission and reception byHayes Inc. in U.S.A. The ATA command is set on the reception side by themodem with respect to the other side modem. The ATD command is set onthe transmission side by the modem with respect to the other side modem.An ATO command switches a local command state over to an on-line state.When re-setting system parameters with respect to the NCU 40A in theon-line state, an escape code is output to the modem.

FIG. 13 shows a flow chart of a routine of the modem controlled by thecamera under the condition where the modem is connected to the telephoneline by the telephone unit.

When a modem power source is turned on or connected to the modem on thetransmission side (step S41), an ATS command for setting parametersnecessary for communication, such as the communication speed, and an ATAcommand for restoring the on-line state of the modem are issued (stepS42). In the on-line state, a check is done as to whether thecommunication mode switch is "on" (step S43). If the switch is "on", anescape code is issued to restore the local command state of the modem(step S44). In the local command state, an ATD command is issued (stepS45). In the on-line state, a "communication request" command istransmitted to the reception side (step S46).

On the reception side, a check is done in the on-line state as towhether the communication mode switch is "on" (step S43). If the switchis not "on", the reception of the "communication request"command ischecked (step S49). If the command has not been received, the routinegoes back to the step S43. If the command has been received, apredetermined process is executed.

On the transmission side, a process subsequent to the process in thestep S46 is executed, and then a "communication end" command istransmitted (step S47), and the line is manually disconnected (stepS48).

On the reception side, the "communication end" command is received (stepS50), and the line is manually disconnected (step S51), thus bringing anend to the routine.

Now, an embodiment, in which a transmitted image can be confirmed on thetransmission and reception sides by watching monitors, will bedescribed.

FIG. 14 shows the system structure of the embodiment. In this system,monitors 60A and 60B are provided on the transmission and receptionsides, respectively, in the system structure shown in FIG. 1.

The operation routines of this embodiment will now be described withreference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 shows a flow chart of thetransmission side routine. In the Figure, the same reference symbols asin the flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8 are used.

In this embodiment, a step S61 is inserted between the transmission sideroutine steps S11 and S12 shown in FIG. 15. After a "data send end"command has been transmitted to the reception side, the reception of a"re-send request" command from the reception side is checked (step S61).If the command has not been received, the routine goes back to the stepS7. If it is determined in the step S61 that the "re-send request"command has not been received, as in the embodiment of FIG. 7, a checkis done as to whether an "OK" command has been received (step S12).

On the reception side, as shown in FIG. 16, upon reception of the "datasend end" command transmitted from the transmission side in the stepS11, the received image is played-back (step S62). Then, a check is doneas to whether the minus feed switch has been operated for the re-sendrequest by the user (step S63). If the switch has been operated, the"re-send request" command noted above is transmitted (step S64), andthen the routine goes back to the step S27. If the switch has not beenoperated, a check is done as to whether the trigger 2 switch is "on"(step S65). If the trigger 2 switch is "on", the routine goes to a stepS34 as that in FIG. 8. If the trigger 2 switch is not "on", a check isdone as to whether the plus feed switch is turned on (step S66). If theswitch has not been turned on, the routine goes back to the step S63. Ifthe switch has been turned on, the received image is deleted or erased(step S67), and then the routine goes to the step S34.

FIG. 17 shows the functions of various switches in this embodiment. Inthe recording (REC) mode, the recording operation is started with theoperation of the trigger 2 switch 15B. In the play-back (PLAY) mode, theimage is changed by +1 with the operation of the plus feed switch 15Dand -1 with the operation of the minus feed switch 15C. In thetransmission (transmitting) mode, the transmission is started with theoperation of the trigger 2 switch 15B, a "communication request" commandis transmitted with the operation of the communication mode switch 15K,and the transmitted image is changed by +1 and -1 with the operation ofthe plus and minus feed switches 15D and 15C. In the transmission(receiving) mode, an instruction "send next image" (i.e., the previouslyreceived image is OK) is given with the operation of the trigger 2switch 15B, an instruction "send next image" (i.e., delete thepreviously received image) is given with the operation of the plus feedswitch 15D, and an instruction "send immediately previous image" isgiven with the operation of the minus feed switch 15C.

Now, an embodiment, which permits image data reception without anymemory card in the camera but by using a data reception buffer forcommunication, will be described with reference to FIGS. 18 and 19.

To realize such a function, in this embodiment the following circuitsare added to the circuit structure shown in FIG. 3. In the cardinterface 10, a switch 10D is provided between the switch 10A and memorycard 11, and a switch 10E between the switch 10B and memory card 11.Further, a data reception buffer 20 for communication is provided.

Output terminals A of the switches 10D and 10E are connected to thememory card 11, and output terminals B of the switches 10D and 10E areconnected to the data reception buffer 20 for communication. Theswitches 10D and 10E are controlled by a transmission control signalfrom the system controller 12. The data reception buffer 20 forcommunication is controlled by an address signal from the card addressgenerator 10C.

FIG. 19 shows a system operation flow chart for reception side routinein the embodiment. In the Figure, like reference symbols as those inFIG. 16 designate like steps. The system operation flow on thetransmission side is as in FIG. 15.

In this embodiment, when an "NG" command is transmitted in a step S25, a"communication end" command reception check is done (step S38). Aftertransmission of an "OK" command (step S39), a check is done as towhether there is valid data in the buffer (step S74). If there is novalid data, the LCD is turned off (step S40), thus bringing an end tothe routine. If it is determined that there is valid data, it isnotified to the user by causing a "REC" flicker display on the LCD whileholding the telephone mark "on" (step S75), and a check is made as towhether a memory card capable of recording has been inserted (step S76).If no memory card capable of recording has been inserted, the routinegoes back to the step S75. If the card has been inserted, data in thedata reception buffer 20 is recorded in the memory card 11 (step S77),and the routine goes to a step S40.

After the LCD flicker display has been provided in the step S32, imagedata is received and written in the data reception buffer 20 (step S71).When the reception of a "data send end" command is determined (stepS33), the data in the data reception buffer is played-back (step S72).If it is found in the step S34 that there is sufficient empty capacity,i.e., if it is OK, the data that has been recorded in the data receptionbuffer is written in the memory card, and the routine goes to the stepS35 noted above.

Now, an embodiment, which permits image data reception without memorycard in the camera but by using the image display frame memory as thedata reception buffer for communication, will be described.

FIG. 20 shows a block diagram of the play-back system of thisembodiment.

In this embodiment, the data reception buffer 20 in the previousembodiment is omitted, and its function is provided by the frame memory5 and the code storage RAM 19. The frame memory 5 has a capacity ofstoring one frame of decompressed data and has a sufficient capacity forcompressed data. The code storage RAM 19 is empty at the time of thereception and has valid capacity as the data reception buffer. Thesememories thus can be used as the data reception buffer. To the codestorage RAM 19 an address signal is supplied from a code storage RAMaddress generator 10G.

Data that has been stored in the frame memory 5 as the data receptionbuffer, is recorded in the memory card 11 via a switch 10F, which iscontrolled for switching by a frame access signal supplied from thesystem controller 12, and also via the switches 10B and 10E.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show reception side system operation flow charts in theembodiment of FIG. 20. Reference symbols like those in FIG. 19 designatelike steps.

If it is not OK in the step S23, a check as to whether there is emptyarea in the card is done (step S82). If it is determined that there isno empty area, an "NG" command is transmitted (step S25), and theroutine goes to a step S38. If it is determined that there is an emptyarea, the switch 10F is controlled (step S83), and preparation forwriting data in the frame memory 5 is made under control of a frameaccess control signal supplied from the system controller 12 (step S84),and then an "OK" command is transmitted (step S24).

In a step S27 a "data send start" command START is received. If it isfound in a step S28 that it is not OK, a check for an empty area in thememory card is done (step S85). If there is an empty area, an "NG"command is transmitted (step S30), and then the routine goes to a stepS38. If there is no empty area in the memory card, a check for an emptyarea in the frame memory is done (step S86). If there is an empty area,the switch 10F is controlled (step S87), and preparation for writingdata in the frame memory 5 is made according to a frame access controlsignal (step S88), and the routine goes to a step S29.

If it is determined in the step S86 that there is no empty frame memoryarea, a check as to whether there is an empty area in the code storageRAM 19 is done (step S89). If there is no empty area, the routine goesto a step S30. If there is an empty area, preparation for writing datain the code storage RAM 19 is made through control of the switches 10A,10B and 10D to 10F (step S90), and the routine goes to the step S29. Ifit is determined in the step S86 that there is an empty frame memoryarea, the switch 10F is controlled (step S87), and preparation ofwriting data in the frame memory is made according to a frame accesscontrol signal (step S88).

After transmission of an "OK" command in the step S29, data is receivedand written in the memory card or frame memory 5, code storage RAM 19(step S81). Then, a process through flickering of the LCD (step S32),confirmation of the reception of a "data send end" command (step S33),check of OK (step S34), transmission of an "OK" command (step S35),turning-on of the LCD (step S36), confirmation of the reception of a"communication end" command (step S38), and transmission of an "OK"command (step S39), is executed, and a check is done as to whether thereis received data in the frame memory 5 and code storage RAM 19 (stepS91). If there is no received data, the LCD is turned off (step S40),thus bringing an end to the routine. If there is received data, this isnotified to the user by causing "REC" flicker on the LCD (step S75).Then, insertion of a separate card is checked (step S92). If no othercard has been inserted, the routine goes to a step S75. If a separatecard has been inserted, the empty capacity is checked (step S93). Ifthere is no empty capacity, the routine goes back to the step S75. Ifthere is empty capacity, data is written from the frame memory 5 or codestorage RAM 19 to the memory card 11 (step S94), and the routine goesback to the step S40.

Now, a further embodiment will be described, in which data reception,decompression and play-back can be done in synchronism to data transferspeed through control of a system clock (CLK) by the system controller12, and also which permits economical cancellation.

FIG. 23 shows a block diagram of the embodiment, which is similar toFIG. 20.

In this embodiment, the frame memory controller 13 switchingly outputs acamera clock from the sync signal generator 14 and a transmission clockfrom the system controller 12 and then issues necessary clocks adaptiveto the instant mode, on the basis of the camera clock or thetransmission clock. A switch 10G is further provided to let data thathas been received through a serial IF 18 and a communication controller17 be sent out to the compression/decompression data bus via the systemcontrol data bus. Data that has been input via thecompression/decompression data bus is decompressed in the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 to be written in the frame memory 5which has a FIFO function via the memory data bus. The switch 10G ison-off controlled by a transmission control signal supplied from thesystem controller 12.

The received image data is decompressed in the datacompressing/decompressing circuit 9 according to a transmission clockfrom the system controller 12 switched by the frame memory controller 13and stored in the frame memory 5. Thus, while receiving image data, theimage data that has been recorded in the frame 5 can be substantiallyreal time played-back. It is thus possible to re-send necessary image orcancel (erase) image data while watching the reproduced image. Wastefuluse of the telephone line thus can be eliminated to permit economicaluse.

FIG. 24 shows an example of image which is reproduced in this way. Inthe Figure, the shaded portion is a non-reception area. In the areaother than the non-reception area, a reproduced monitor picture of imagedata recorded in the frame memory 5 is displayed. In this state, arequest of the re-transmission of a predetermined portion of the monitorpicture is made by operating the minus feed switch, recording of data inthe memory card (during period other than the transmission period) isdone by operating the trigger 2 switch, and the image transmission inforce is canceled by operating the plus feed switch.

FIG. 25 shows a reception side operation timing chart in the embodimentshown in FIG. 23.

The frame memory controller 13 switchingly outputs the camera clock CLKand transmission clock CLK as data compression/decompression clock CLK.During serial communication, a "data send start" command is sent outfrom the transmission side to the reception side, and subsequent to "OK"from the reception side compressed data D0, D1, . . . , Dend are sentout from the transmission side. The reception side system controller,after transmitting the "OK"command, switches a switch 10G according to atransmission control signal to set up a data reception state. After astart signal START has been output from the system controller 12,received compressed image data D0, D1, . . . , Dend are input to thedata compressing/decompressing circuit 9 via the data bus according tothe transmission clock noted above. The decompressed data FWD0, FWD1, .. . , FWDend are written in the frame memory 5 according to writeaddress FWA0, FWA1, . . . , FWAend and also frame control signal (CS orWE) and under control of the transmission clock. Image data FRD0, FRD1,. . . are read out from the frame memory 5 according to frame memoryaddress data FRA0, FRA1, . . . generated in synchronism to the D/A CLKand frame control signal (CS, OE) and sent out to the A/D and D/A buses.At this time, the RP is set to "L". Afterwards, the RP is switched to"H" by the trigger 2 switch to bring about compression recording.

Now, an embodiment, which permits automatic transmission and receptionof image on the basis of information stored in a predetermined specificfile (called control file hereinafter), will be described.

FIG. 26 shows a block diagram of this embodiment. In the Figure, partslike those in FIG. 2 are designated by like reference numerals. In thisembodiment, a program execution switch 15L is provided in the operationswitch section in addition to the switches 15A to 15K shown in FIG. 2.

This embodiment is effective when recording data as image files, soundfiles and control files in the memory card. An apparatus of theembodiment is operated on the basis of a control file using a personalcomputer.

FIG. 27 shows a view of the configuration of the control file(DSC00001.J6C). This file comprises a control file header and relevantdata section for transmission.

FIG. 28 shows the relevant data. SEND1 prescribes the transmissioncommand. DATE prescribes the communication start instant (in thisexample '92, May 25, 15 o'clock, 40 minutes, 0 second). PHONE prescribesthe partner side telephone number, the image files to be transmitted(DSC00001.J6I, DSC00003.J6I, DSC00004.J6I) and sound file(DSC00002.J6S).

FIGS. 29 and 30 show flow charts of the routine of the transmission andreception system controllers 12 in this embodiment.

On the transmission side by recognizing the connection of modems (stepS101), the turning-on of the communication mode switch 15K is waited(step S102). Then after waiting the turning-on of the program executionswitch 15I in a predetermined period of time (step S103), thedecompression file and control file .J6C are retrieved and read out(step S104), and a check is done as to whether there is a transmissionprogram in the control file (step S105). If there is no transmissionprogram, this is notified to the user by causing LCD flicker (telephonemark) display (step S114), thus bringing an end to the routine.

If it is determined in the step S105 that there is a transmissionprogram, the LCD is turned on (step S106), and a transmission startinstant (DATE part in FIG. 28) is set in the timer (step S107), and itis waited (step S108). When the transmission start instant is reached,the partner side telephone number (PHONE part in FIG. 28) is set (stepS109), the line is turned on (step S110), and a communication process tobe described later is executed (step S111). Subsequently, the line isturned off (step S112), and the result is written in the control file.J6C, thus bringing an end to the routine.

On the reception side, likewise the modems are acknowledged (step S121),the tuning-on of the line is awaited (step S122), and a communicationprocess to be described later is executed (step S123). Then the line isturned off (step S124), and the result of reception is written in thecontrol file (step S125), thus bringing an end to the routine.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show the routine of the communication process notedabove.

A "communication request" is transmitted from the transmission side(step S131). When this "communication request" is received on thereception side (step S151), OK checks such as a check as to whether thereception side memory empty capacity is sufficient and a check as towhether the formatting has been completed are done (step S152). If notOK, an "NG" command is transmitted (step S154), the routine goes to astep S164. If OK, an "OK" command is transmitted to the transmissionside (step S153).

On the transmission side, a check is done as to whether the "OK" commandhas been received (step S132). If the command has not been received, theroutine goes to a step S140. If the command has been received, a "datasend start" command START is transmitted to the reception side.

On the reception side, the reception of the "data send start" commandSTART is checked (step S155). If the command has not been received, theroutine goes to a step S164. If the command has been received, an OKcheck is done as to whether the transmission image data file capacity isgreater than that of the reception side memory card (step S156). If notOK, the step S164 is executed. If OK, an "OK" command is transmitted tothe transmission side (step S157).

On the reception side, the reception of the "OK" command is checked(step S134). If not OK, the routine goes to a step S140. If OK, data istransmitted (step S135), and a check is done as to whether all data hasbeen transmitted (step S136). If all data has not been transmitted, theroutine goes back to the step S135. If all data has been transmitted, a"data send end" command END is transmitted (step S137).

On the reception side, after the process in the step S159 the receptionof the "data send end" command END is checked (step S160). If thecommand has not been received, the routine goes back to the step S159.If the command has been received, a check is done as to whether thereception side memory card has empty capacity even after the datarecording (step S161). If not OK, an "NG" command is transmitted (stepS163), and the routine goes to a step S164. If OK, an "OK" command istransmitted to the transmission side (step S162).

On the transmission side, the reception of the "OK" command is checked(step S138). If the command has not been received, the routine goes tothe step S140. If the command has been received, a check is done as towhether all the transmission files written in the control file have beentransmitted (step S139). If not, the routine goes to a step S133. If allthe files have been transmitted, a "send end" command END is transmittedto the reception side (step S140).

On the reception side, the reception of the "send end" command ischecked (step S164). If the command has not been received, the routinegoes back to the step S155. If the command has been received, an "OK"command is transmitted to the reception side (step S165), thus bringingan end to the routine.

In the step S141 on the transmission side, the reception of the "OK"command is checked (step S141). If the command has not been received,the routine goes back to the step S140. If not, the routine is ended.

FIG. 33 shows an example of writing in the control file (.J6C) of thetransmission and reception results in the steps S113 and S125 in FIGS.29 and 30.

In (A) in the Figure, the transmission and reception results are shownas "SEND1₋₋ RESULT" and "ACCEPT₋₋ RESULT". "FAULT1" on the transmissionside indicates NG due to causes #1 and #1'.

In example (B), it is shown that while the upper two image and soundfiles have been transmitted on the transmission side, the transmissionof the lower two image files was NG due to causes of #2 and #3. On thereception side, the received data are only the above two files,indicating that NG was caused in FAULT2 due to causes #2 and #3.

In the example (C), it is shown that the transmission and reception ofall the files has been completed on the transmission and receptionsides.

The user thus can readily recognize the transmission and receptionstatus with reference to the above transmission and reception results.The reception result can, if necessary, be displayed on the monitorscreen.

FIG. 34 shows a different example of the relevant data (fortransmission) shown in FIG. 28. In the Figure, "SEND1" is a transmissioncommand, "IMAGE ALL" is a command instructing the transmission of allthe image files in the memory card, "SOUND ALL" is a command instructingthe transmission of all the sound files in the memory card, and "FILEALL" is a command instructing the transmission of all the files in thememory card.

While the above embodiments have concerned the use of the memory card,it is possible as well to use any recording medium such as an opticalmagnetic disk, a half memory, etc.

As shown above, according to the invention the camera itself has a modemcontrol function, thus readily permitting image communication by merelyutilizing modems and without agency of any other transmitting andreceiving units.

In the DSC which is used with such recording media as IC memory cards,magnetic recording media, optical magnetic recording media, etc., thereare many proposals for diversification of functions. Among suchproposals is one in which the camera has interface (hereinafter referredto as I/F) means for connecting it to an external unit, thus permittingtransmission and reception of various kinds of information.

For example, as earlier proposal by the applicant, there is a cameradisclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. H2-108468, which includesI/F means with respect to a personal computer (hereinafter referred toas PC), thus permitting such processes as remote control operation ofthe camera, transmission and reception of video signal with the PC withcommunication thereof. As another earlier proposal by the applicantthere is a camera disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No.H4-333707, which includes I/F means with respect to a modem to permitvideo information communication via a telephone line through modems.

However, if it is intended to apply the DSC in the above first andsecond proposals in the Japanese Patent Application No. H2-108468 andJapanese Patent Application No. H4-333707 to information communicationwith a plurality of different external units such as PCs and modems, itis necessary to provide the camera with I/F means including a connectorhaving two independent systems for the PC and the modem.

The provision of the I/F means including such a two-system connector inthe camera is not only disadvantageous in view of the cost, but is alsodisadvantageous in view of the size reduction of the camera body due theinstallation space of the connector for connection to the PC and themodem.

Heretofore, however, it has been impossible to provide a connector or anI/F for common use the detailed specifications of the I/F are differentwith the PC and the modem although RS-232C is basically conformed to.

The reasons for the impossibility of the common use is that in theconnection to the modem, in comparison with the direct connection to thePC:

(1) the communication speed is reduced because the general publictelephone line is utilized;

(2) it is necessary to use a control line for interface with the modem;and

(3) connection control is necessary for controlling the connectionbetween the modem and telephone line.

The following embodiment of the invention has been contemplated in orderto overcome the above deficiencies. It is a highly functional camera,which permits information communication with a plurality of differentexternal units and does not go counter to the camera body sizereduction.

In this embodiment, one of the plurality of different external units isconnected to the connector, and it is recognized by interfacerecognition means for causing the interface to function in a statusfitted to the connected external unit.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view showing a DSC (digital still camera) 120in this embodiment. The DSC 120 is used with an IC memory card 117 as animage information recording medium. It is capable of communication withPCs and modems, which are among a plurality of different kinds ofexternal units with different interfaces to be applied, with a singleconnector and an external I/F connected thereto. The I/F is a unit,which couples together and can be used commonly for two systems orunits, or it is a register common to a plurality of programs. The I/Fmay be provided not only as a unit but also a circuit using LSI.

The DSC includes means for changing file data, for instance commentdata, concerning an image, means for changing the position in ahierarchical data structure (directory) of the file, i.e., changing themanagement area, means for permitting play-back of recorded pictures byone-touch operation of a specific operating switch or section which isusually used for a different purpose, for instance an erase switch, andmeans for permitting selection of the operation of memory check andformatting when deleting all the memory card data and the operation ofdeleting only a file.

In the DSC 120, as shown in FIG. 35, the front of the camera casing 100is provided with an image pick-up lens 101 for picking up images. Thetop of the casing 100 has operation switches 114a and 114f forinstructing control operations, a LCD display 113 and a release switch119 for instructing the photographing operation. The camera casing 100further has its side wall provided with a connector 116, for instance amini DIN connector, for transmission and reception of signals between avideo signal output terminal 107 and a plurality of external units suchas PCs and modems, and also provided with an insertion opening 100a,through which a memory card 117 as a recording medium is inserted.

FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing a controller of the DSC 120. In theinstant DSC, an image pick-up signal is recorded in the loaded memorycard 117 in response to the depression of a release switch 119. Also, arecorded image pick-up signal in an image file of a designated filenumber is played-back from the memory card 117 in response to operationof operation switches 114a to 114f to be described later, and the videosignal is output from the video signal output terminal 107. Theindividual control elements of the DSC 120 are controlled by a systemcontroller 110.

The construction of the DSC will now be described. At the time of theimage pick-up, an image is focused by the image pick-up lens 101 on aCCD or like image pick-up element in an image signal processor 102. Animage signal is thus output from the processor 102 to an A/D converter103 for conversion to digital image data, which is temporarily stored ina VRAM 104 which is an image memory. The image data in the VRAM 104 isanalog converted in a D/A converter 105 to be provided as video signalfrom the video output terminal 107.

When recording image data, the image data is read out block by blockfrom the VRAM 104 and compressed in a data compressing/decompressingcircuit 109 on the basis of the JPEG (joint photographic expert group)system of the like. The compressed image data is fed via a bus 112 to acard I/F 111, and it is written in a designated area of the memory card117.

At the time of the play-back, the frame number, etc. is designated byoperating an UP and a DOWN switch 114c and 114d to be described later.The frame or file number or the like is displayed on a LCD display 113.According to the designation, the pertinent memory area of the memorycard 117 is selected, and corresponding image data is fed through thecard I/F 111 and bus 112 to the data compressing/decompressing circuit109. The image data is thus decompressed and then stored in the VRAM104. The stored image data is then read out from the VRAM 104 andconverted in a D/A converter 105 into an analog signal which is input toa video encoder 106. The signal is thus encoded in the video encoder 106to be output to the video output terminal 107 as video signal. The DSC120 further has a RS-232C I/F 115 as an I/F for communication withexternal units. It further has a connector 116, which is a mini DINconnector capable of connection to PCs and modems. The RS-232C I/F 115provides an I/F function of the status recognized by the interfacerecognition means provided in the system controller 110.

Table 1 shows input and output voltage levels in the RS-232C I/F 115.The output voltage range of +15 to -15 V shown in Table 1 is taken inafter conversion to a range of 0 to 5 V by a built-in voltage levelconverter IC.

Table 2 shows pin numbers, JIS standard signal names, etc. of theRS-232C I/F 115. In Table 2, DTE means "data terminal equipment". Thatis, it means a terminal, in the instance case a camera. DCE means "datacommunication equipment" and refers to a modem or a camera.

Table 3 shows pin numbers of signal line of the RS-232C I/F 115 whenused in communication with a PC. As shown, for communication with thePC, the I/F is constructed with three signal lines. If necessary, acontrol line is added. For example, ER or RS (refer to Table 2) is usedas a BUSY signal.

Table 4 shows pin numbers, signal names, etc. of the RS-232C I/F 115when used for communication with a modem. As shown, the I/F isconstructed with a greater number of lines than the communication lineswith the PC noted above. If necessary, a control line is added. Forexample, FG or CI (refer to Table 2) is added.

FIG. 37 is a block diagram showing a system, which is formed byconnecting a PC 122 as an external unit to the connector 116 of the DSC120. A monitor 121 is for displaying played-back pictures of the DSC 120or file management information, etc. In many cases where the PC 122 isconnected in this way, usually communication control such as filemanagement control of the DSC 120 or image pick-up control is made bythe PC 122.

FIG. 38 shows an example of the system, in which a modem 123 isconnected as an external unit to the connector 116 of the DSC 120. Themonitor 121 is again a monitor for a play-back screen or the like. Themodem 123 is connected for communication to the PC 126 via a telephoneline 124 and further a modem 125. In many cases where the modem 123 isconnected in this way, usually picked-up image data is transferred fromthe DSC 120 to the PC 126 via the modems 123 and 125 and telephone line124.

FIG. 39 is an enlarged-scale view showing the operation switches 114a to114f noted above. Among these switches, the switch 114a is a POWERswitch of a camera power source. The switch 114b is REC/PLAY switch forinstructing play-back. The switch 114c is an UP switch for increasingplay-back/erase frame designation frame number by one frame. Switch 114dis a DOWN switch for reducing the play-back/erase designation framenumber by one frame. The switch 114e is a MODEM switch for modemswitching to give an instruction to cause functioning of the I/F such asto meet the connected modem. The switch 114f is an ERASE switch forinstructing the erasing of a recorded image file. The ERASE switch alsoserves as a VIEW switch for causing play-back right after image pick-upby one-touch operation.

FIG. 40 is a view showing the display 113 in detail. The display 113 hasa display segment "ERASE", which is turned on when erasing recordedimage data, a segment "PLAY" which is turned when playing-back picked-upimage data, a segment "MODEM" which is turned on when a modem isselected as an external unit, a segment "CONNECT" which is turned onwhen the connected modem becomes ready for communication, and aseven-segment display section for displaying the frame number, fileprocess state, etc.

FIG. 41 shows an example of the display on the display 113. Shown in (A)in FIG. 41 is a frame number display state when a play-back frame numberis designated by switches 114c and 114d. Shown in (B) is a state ofdisplay of "PLAY" and frame number during play-back after designation offrame No. 1. Shown in (C) is a "MODEM" display when modem designation isdone by connecting a modem as an external unit to the connector 116 viaa cable. In the state of the DSC 120 with the POWER switch 114a turnedon, the external I/F is set by a command from the PC to be ready fordata reception by an interruption from the system controller 110. Thus,for bringing about a state ready for communication with a modem, theMODEM switch 114e is turned on.

FIG. 42 is a view showing example of display on the display 113 when themodem 123 is connected and designated. The procedure of datatransmission using the modem 123 of the DSC 120 will now be describedwith reference to FIG. 42. When the modem 123 is selected and connectedto be ready for data communication as shown in (A) in FIG. 42, thesegment "CONNECT" is flickered. In this state, the communication isstarted. First, the telephone number of the partner side, which isstored in the system controller 110, is called by making use of an ATcommand which is usually provided in the modem. Then, a carrier istransmitted by making the transmission request signal "RS" shown as inTable 4 active. The carrier is detected by the partner side with acarrier detection signal "CD" shown as shown in Table 4. For theconfirmation of the partner side, a signal "CAMERA" is transmitted. Whena confirmation signal "ACK" from the PC 126 on the partner side has beenreceived, "CONNECT" on the display is turned on to indicate thecompletion of connection as shown in (B) in FIG. 42, and frame No. "01"of transfer image data, for instance, is displayed, as shown in (B) inFIG. 42.

When the connection has not been completed in a predetermined period oftime, for instance one minute, "Er" indicative of an error is displayedas shown in (C) in FIG. 42. Then, the power source is once turned off,and then re-trial is made. Each of the above displays can also bedisplayed on the monitor 121.

When the connection has been completed, the frame number is selected byoperating the UP and DOWN switches 114c and 114d, and image fortransmission is displayed on the monitor 121. By depressing the triggerswitch 119, the image data is transmitted. For the image datatransmission, the file size is first transmitted, and then the imagefile is transmitted as binary data. When the reception side PC 126receives data for the file size, it stores the received data as a filein a medium. The modem control is usually done by using an "AT" commandas noted above. It may also be done by using the CCITT standards.

Now, each control operation in the DSC 120 will be described in greaterdetail by using flow charts.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart showing a "reception interruption process"sub-routine. When the power source of the DSC 120 is turned on, theRS-232C I/F 115 is set by the system controller 110 to be ready forcommunication with the PC. Then, the modem mode is set by operating theMODEM switch 114e. When signal transmitted through the telephone line124 is received in this state, the system controller 110 executes aninterruption process to take in the reception signal through thetelephone line 124.

Referring to the flow chart of FIG. 43, a check is done in a step S201as to whether the modem mode has been set up. If the PC mode prevailsinstead of the modem mode, the sub-routine goes to a step S202 for aprocess corresponding to command of the PC. If the modem mode prevails,the reception data is stored in a modem control buffer in the systemcontroller 110. The process on this data is executed in a modem processsub-routine.

FIG. 44 is flow chart of a "trigger switch process" sub-routine when thetrigger switch 119 is operated.

In this sub-routine, a check is done in a step S205 as to whether themodem mode prevails. If the modem mode does not prevail, a step S206,i.e., a check for a recording mode, is executed. If the recording modedoes not prevail, an end is brought to this sub-routine. If therecording mode prevails, the sub-routine goes to a step S207 of imagepick-up process. If it is determined in the check of the step S205 thatthe modem mode prevails, the file size of image data is transmitted in astep S208, and image data is transmitted in a step S209, thus bringingan end to this sub-routine.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of a "modem switch process" sub-routine which iscalled when the modem switch 114e is operated.

In a step S211, a check is done as to whether the modem mode prevails.If the modem mode prevails, the sub-routine goes to a step S213 to calla "modem mode release process" sub-routine to be described later. If themodem mode does not prevail, the sub-routine goes to a step S212 to setthe modem mode so as to be ready for modem communication. The modesetting is done by setting a flag of "1" indicative of the modem mode.Then in a step S214 flicker of the "CONNECT" display on the display 113is caused. In steps S215 and S216, the modem recognition and setting aredone. In this process, a signal "ER" in Table 4 is output from the sideof the DSC 120, and when it is confirmed that an active signal of signal"DR" has been returned from the modem side, a step S217 is executed. Ifnot, a step S222 is executed for error display, thus bringing an end tothe sub-routine.

In the step S217, a line connection process according to the AT commandis executed. In this process, a signal "RS" is output to the modem 123to cause the modem 123 to output a carrier. When it is confirmed in astep S218 that the line connection has been completed with detection ofa signal "CS" shown in Table 4 and also with detection of a signal "CD"as a carrier detection signal from the modem, a step S219 is executed.If the completion of the connection is not confirmed, the step S222 oferror display is executed, thus bringing an end to the sub-routine.

In steps S219 and S220, a signal "CAMERA" is transmitted to acknowledgethe partner side, and a check is done as to whether an acknowledgmentsignal "ACK" from the partner side can be received. When the signal"ACK" could be received, "CONNECT" on the display 113 is turned on, thusbringing an end to the sub-routine. If the acknowledgment signal "ACK"from the partner side has not been received in a predetermined period oftime, the sub-routine goes to the step S222 for error display.

FIG. 46 is a flow chart of a "modem mode release process" sub-routinewhich is called in the step S213. In this sub-routine, the modem mode iscleared (step S231), and a signal "COM-END" is transmitted to thepartner side (step S232). In response to the signal "COM-END", thepartner side stops the transmission of a carrier signal for signaltransmission. If the stopping of the carrier transmission fails to bedetected in the step S233, an "AT" command is transmitted for turningoff the line. Then in a step S234 a signal "ER" that has beentransmitted to the modem is turned off, thus bringing an end to themodem control. Further, in a step S235 the display 113 is set to thenormal display state in recording or play-back, thus bringing an end tothe routine.

In DSC 120 as has been described, the system controller 110 recognizesthe kind of the unit, such as modem or PC, that is connected to theconnector 116 which is the sole connector connected to an external I/F,thus providing an interface function that is matched to the status ofthe unit for communication of information. It is thus possible toprovide an apparatus, which permits communication of information with aplurality of different external units, has high functional versatilityand has a body of a reduced size.

The DSC 120 in this embodiment has the connector 116 as a connector withexternal units, and the switching of communication with the PC and alsothe modem is done by operating the modem switch 114e. FIG. 47 shows amodification of the embodiment, in which a switch operation section 131afor operating the mode switch is provided above the top of the receptionside connector 131. A modem as an external unit applied to thismodification, has a connector 132 having a projection 132a fordepressing the switch operation section 131a, while the connector 133 ofa PC which is a second external unit, has no projection for depressingthe switch operation section 131a.

When the connector 132 for the modem is connected, the modem mode is setautomatically with turning-on of the mode switch operation section 131a.When the PC is connected to the connector 132, the PC mode is set upwith the turning-off of the mode switch. In this modification, the modeswitching is possible without manual switching operation.

In a further modification, a PC/modem mode designation signal line isprovided as a signal line between the external unit and connector. Inthis case, when either unit is connected, it is possible to select themode of the communication unit through detection of the voltage level onthe designation signal line.

In the above embodiment, the normal state after the power source hasbeen turned on is the PC communication mode, remote control operationthrough the PC communication status I/F is possible by connecting aremote control unit or the like to the connector 165 shown in FIG. 35 inthis state. FIG. 48 shows that a connector 135b of remote control unit135 is inserted in the connector 116 of the DSC 120. In this state,remote control is possible.

The DSC 120 in this embodiment, as noted above, includes means forchanging part of file data such as comments concerning image, means forchanging the management area of the file, means for reproducing recordedpicture by one-touch operation of a switch which is usually used for adifferent purpose, for instance the ERASE switch 114f for file erasing,and means for selecting the process of memory check and formatting inthe operation of entirely erasing the memory card and the process of thesole file erasing. The operations of these means will now be describedsuccessively.

FIG. 49 is a view showing the configuration of data in the memory card117 as recording medium. As shown, the data area comprises an attributememory, in which attribute information providing versatility informationof the basic card as proposed by JEIDA (Japan Electronic IndustriesDevelopment Association) is recorded, and a common memory, in whichimage information is recorded.

The leading of the common memory is an attribute information area, inwhich versatility information of the card is recorded. Next is a bootsector area, management area information of FAT (file allocation table)and a rood directory (of a hierarchical structure) are recorded becausethe OS (operating system) of the I/F of the DSC 120 uses DOS. In the FATarea noted above, data recording area information is recorded in a chaintype. In the root directly area, information about the way of recordingdata in a data recording area to be described later is recorded.

The following data recording area is constituted by image files. In eachimage file, data about one frame of image is written. As shown in FIG.50, the image file comprises a header and image data. In the header arerecorded a specification tuple, a data type tuple, an image pick-upinformation tuple, a comment tuple, etc. The specification tupleprovides a specification version, the kind of file, i.e., video, soundand control. The data type tuple provides the type of the file body,i.e., JPEG, non-compression, PICT and other image data holding types.The comment tuple is a recording of a photographing explanation or thelike. The DSC 120 in this embodiment features that it is possible tore-write the comment tuple.

In the image file recording area are recorded, in addition to image datafiles, sound files, in which sound information corresponding to image ofthe image data is recorded, and control files, in which informationabout the correspondence relation between the image files and soundfiles is stored. Again in the control file, all data are recorded in thetuple form. In the image file recording area, sub-directory entries arealso stored.

FIG. 51 is a view showing the data configuration of the tuple form notedabove. The tuple comprises tuple ID representing prescription data, nexttuple pointer and tuple data.

FIG. 52 shows the image pick-up information tuple. As shown, this tuplecomprises image pick-up information ID, next tuple pointer, date data,iris data, shutter speed data, white balance setting data, focusposition data, zoom position data, and strobe data.

FIG. 53 shows the comment tuple. This tuple comprises comment ID, nexttuple pointer (end code), comment data length and comment data. At thetime of the image pick-up, an area of a predetermined size is securedfor the comment tuple.

FIG. 54 shows the control file. As shown, this file comprises aspecification tuple, a comment tuple of the directory, in which the fileis stored, a play-back sequence tuple as play-back sequence information,and tuple relevant file providing information relevant to image file andcorresponding sound file. The control file is stored in the samedirectory area as the image file, but it can also be stored in asub-directory.

The DSC 120 performs control operations by receiving various commandsfrom an external unit such as a PC. The commands received from the PC orthe like and the functions of these commands are shown in Table 5. Thecommands are transmitted to the DSC 120 by a transmission signal basedon hexadecimal numerical data.

Now, such operations of the DSC 120 as referring to comment data,writing data, writing additional data, etc. will be described. For thedescription of the operations, it is assumed that the PC 122 isconnected to the DSC 120 as shown in FIG. 37, for the writing ofcomments stored in the header of image files in the memory card 117 andalso writing of additional comment according to instructions from the PCside.

First, the PC 122 takes out image file directory information from thememory card 117, and file names are displayed on the PC 122, as shown inFIG. 55. A file for writing command is selected from the illustratedfile numbers. When file No. 1 is designated, image pick-up data in thepertinent file DSC00001.J61 and current comment are displayed, as shownin FIG. 56. At this time, on the side of the DSC 120, the image pick-updata and current comment are displayed on the monitor 121 (FIG. 37).Usually, when a memory card without any comment area is used, an enquiryas to whether the area is to be produced is provided.

FIG. 57 shows a state that new comment data is written insuperimposition to the comment data in the header.

When a "write comment" command shown in Table 5 is transmitted and acomment is input, new comment data is written regularly in the commentarea in the header. If the input comment data capacity is greater thanthe comment area that has been secured in advance, a warning isprovided. The area is decompressed when it is to be done so.

When picking up image under remote control from the PC 122, it ispossible to set image pick-up data from the side of the PC 122 andinstruction of an image pick-up timing and the writing of a commentright after the image pick-up from the side of the PC 122.

The operation of referring to and changing comment as noted above, willbe described with reference to the flow chart of a "commentreference/change process" sub-routine shown in FIG. 58.

In steps S240 and S241, the PC 122 receives and displays image filedirectory information from the memory card 117. Then, a file number forchanging comment is input (step S242). The display at this moment isshown in FIG. 55.

In a step S243, a file corresponding to the input file number isdesignated. Then, image pick-up data and comment data of the designatedfile are received (steps S244 and S245) and displayed (step S246). Thedisplay at this moment is shown in FIG. 56. In a step S247,addition/change comment data is input. Then, a check for any commentchange is done (step S248). If there is no comment change, thesub-routine is ended. If there is a comment change, the comment iswritten (step S249), thus bringing an end to the sub-routine.

Now, the operation of image pick-up with comment, will be described withreference to the flow chart of an "image pick-up with comment"sub-routine shown in FIG. 59. When this image pick-up operation isperformed under remote control from the PC 122, comment designation isdone after image pick-up data designation, and then an image pick-upinstruction is given from the PC 122. Then, immediately afterwards thecomment is written.

Specifically, image pick-up data is input and set (steps S251 and S252).Then, a comment is input (step S253), and a check as to whether there isan image pick-up instruction input is done (step S254). If there is animage pick-up instruction, an image pick-up step S255 is executed. Then,a comment on an immediately previously picked-up picture is written(step S256), then a status signal from the DSC 120 is read out (stepS257), and then a check as to whether the DSC 120 is ready for imagepick-up is done (step S258). If it is ready, the sub-routine returns tothe step S253. If not, the sub-routine is ended.

Now, some command process operations in the communication between the PCand DSC as shown in Table 5 will be described in detail.

First, a directory transmission command process will be described. FIG.60 is a time chart of transmission of directory transmission command anddirectory data between the PC 122 and DSC 120. A command signal and adirectory designation signal, each being a one byte signal, aretransmitted from the PC 122 to the DSC 120 in conformity to the RS-232Cstandards. The directory designation signal represents a root directorywhen it is "0" and represents a sub-directory in a directory entry atthe designated position when it is other than "0". When the DSC 120receives the signal, it transmits the number of bytes data of maximumnumber K byte directory data and directory data to the PC 122 by aninterruption process.

FIG. 61 shows the configuration of the root directory. Entries 0, 1, . .. that constitute the root directory correspond to image files in thedata areas of the respective frame numbers. When a sub-directory isproduced, however, the corresponding entry comes to a directory entryfor the sub-directory. The sub-directory data is stored in the dataarea. Sub-directory entry "0" is given a file name "." to store its ownposition information. Entry "1" is given a file name ".." to storehigh-order directory position information. Entry "2" and followingentries are for storing directory data.

FIG. 62 shows the format of a 32-byte directory entry. Table 6 showsattribute values and attribute contents.

Now, comment transmission will be described. FIG. 63 is a time chart fortransmission of comment transmission command and comment data betweenthe PC 122 and DSC 120. The PC transmits command signal which is 1 bytesignal to the DSC in conforming to RS-232C standard. Receiving thesignal, the DSC transmits the number of bytes data of comment data andcomment data to the PC by an interruption process. These processes areexecuted after a file designation command.

FIG. 64 is a flow chart of the "comment transmission command process"sub-routine in the comment transmission operation noted above. In a stepS261, the bus 112 is set to a memory card access mode. The leadingaddress of the file designated in a step S262 is calculated from thedirectory start cluster. Then, a comment tuple search is done (StepS263), and a check as to whether there is the comment tuple is done(step S264). If the memory card is not provided with any comment tuplebecause of its recording specifications, a step S268 is executed, inwhich a signal "NAK" is transmitted to notify the provision of nocomment tuple to the side of the PC 122. Then, a step S267 is executed.Afterwards, a comment tuple is produced to be ready for writing acomment, and then the comment transmission command process is executedafresh.

If a comment tuple is detected, a step S265 is executed, in which thenumber of bytes data of comment tuple is transmitted. Then, comment datais sent (step S266). Then, in a step S267 the bus 112 is released tobring an end to the sub-routine.

Now, a comment write operation will be described. FIG. 65 is a timechart for transmitting comment write command and write command databetween the PC 122 and DSC 120. Specifically, a command signal, thenumber of bytes data signal and a write signal are transmitted from thePC 122 to the DSC 120 in conformity to the RS-232C standards. Uponreceipt of the signals, the DSC 120 writes the comment data by aninterruption process. At this time, no data is transmitted from the DSC120 to the PC 122.

FIG. 66 is a flow chart for the "comment write command process"sub-routine in the command write operation. In a step S271 the number ofbytes data signal is received, and in a step S272 the bus 112 is set toa memory card access mode. The leading address of the designated file iscalculated from the directory start cluster (step S273). Then, a commenttuple search is done (step S274), and a check as to whether there is thecomment tuple is done (step S275). If the memory card is provided withno comment tuple, a step S280 is executed. If there is the commenttuple, a step S276 is executed.

In the step S276, a check is done as to whether the byte number of thecurrently prepared comment tuple is sufficient for writing. If the bytenumber is insufficient, a signal "NAK" indicative of the impossibilityof writing is transmitted to the PC 122 (step S279), and then a stepS278 is executed. If the byte number is sufficient, received tuple datais progressively written in superimposition to the comment data (stepS277). Then, the bus 112 is released (step S278), thus bringing an endto the sub-routine.

In the step S280 noted above, a comment tuple is generated at the tupleend, and then the size of the generated tuple area is checked (stepS281). If the generated tuple area size is sufficient to write thecomment data, a step S277 is executed. If the size is insufficient, asignal "NAK" is transmitted to the side of the PC 122 (step S282), and astep S278 is executed. If the generated comment tuple area size issufficient, the bus 112 is released (step S278), thus bringing an end tothe sub-routine.

Now, an operation in the DSC 120 will be described, in which ahierarchical data structure management area is changed from an externalunit via an external I/F, that is, a management area directory ischanged by an operation on the side of the PC 122 connected to the DSC120.

FIG. 67 shows a menu display in the PC 122 in the changing operation.When producing a sub-directory, for instance, key No. 1 is selected. Asa result, the display is changed to one as shown in FIG. 68. Then, acomment accompanying the sub-directory generation is input by operatingkeys in the PC 122, and "Y" is input by key operation. As a result, thesub-directory is generated.

By selecting key No. 2 for file movement is selected in the menu displayin FIG. 67, file and sub-directory names are displayed, as shown in FIG.69, for selecting the file to be moved. At this moment, as shown in FIG.69, in the memory card images files DSC00001.J6I and DSC00003.J6I arestored, and further a sub-directory <SDIR 02> is stored, in which apicture file DSC02001.J6I is stored. In this state, an instruction formoving the image file DSC00001.J6I is given by inputting "1" with a keyoperation. As a result, a state is brought about, in which an inputrepresenting the destination of the file movement is waited, as shown inFIG. 70.

When "2" is input as the file movement destination with key operation, adisplay as shown in FIG. 71 is brought about, showing a state, in whichthe image file DSC00001.J6I has been moved to the sub-directory <SDIR02>. In case when the destination is a root directory, "R" is input asthe key input.

Now, the operation on the side of the PC 122 in the above sub-directorygeneration process, will be described with reference to the"sub-directory" sub-routine flow chart shown in FIG. 72. First, asub-directory comment input process is executed (step S291), and asub-directory generation command is transmitted to the DSC 120 (stepS292). Then, a comment is written (step S293), and the sub-directory isdisplayed (step S294), thus bringing an end to this sub-routine.

An operation on the side of the PC 122 in the file movement process willnow be described with reference to a "file movement" sub-routine flowchart shown in FIG. 73. First a directory display is made (step S301),and then the designated file to be moved is input (step S302). Then, thedestination of the directory movement is input (step S303). Then, adirectory movement command is transmitted to the DSC 120 (step S104).After the movement, the new directory is received (step S305 anddisplayed (step S306), thus bringing an end to the sub-routine.

Now, a DSC side process for sub-directory generation will be describedin detail. FIG. 74 is a time chart of communication signals between thePC 122 and DSC 120 when generating a sub-directory. A sub-directorygeneration command is transmitted form the PC 122 to the DSC 120. On theDSC side, the earliest empty directory is searched, and a sub-directoryis generated therein.

FIG. 75 is a flow chart of the "sub-directory generation commandprocess" sub-routine. In a step 311, the bus 112 is set to memory cardaccess mode. Then, an empty entry of directory is searched (step S312).Then, a check is done as to whether there is any empty entry (stepS313). If no empty entry is found, a signal "NAK" is transmitted to thePC 122 (step S319), and then a step S318 is executed. If there is anempty entry, an empty area of the directory size is searched (stepS314). If there is no such empty area, a step S319 is executed. If thereis an empty area, the sub-directory is registered (step S317). Then, acontrol file is registered in the sub-directory (step S317). Then thebus 112 is released (step S318), thus bringing an end to thesub-routine.

Now, a DSC side process in the file moving operation will be describedin detail. FIG. 76 is a time chart of communication signals between thePC 122 and DSC 120 in the file moving operation. A file movement commandis transmitted from the PC to the DSC, and movement file data andfurther movement destination directory data are transmitted. Themovement file data is 2-byte data up to the sub-directory. The movementdestination directory data is one-byte data because it represents thesole root directory. By taking in these data, the DSC 120 registers thefile for movement in the destination directory.

FIG. 77 is a flow chart of the "file movement process" sub-routine. Inthis sub-routine, the movement file data is received in a step S321, andthe movement destination directory data is received in a step S322.Then, the bus 112 is set to card access (step S323). Then, the movementfile directory entry is read out (step S324). Then, an empty entry inthe movement destination directory is searched (step S325), and a checkis done as to whether there is any empty entry (step S326). If there isno empty entry, a signal "NAK" is transmitted to the PC 122 (step S332),and then a step S331 to be described later is executed.

If there is an empty entry, file name duplication is checked for (stepS327). If duplication is confirmed in a step S328, a step S329 isexecuted. If no duplication is found, entry data which has been read outin the empty entry is read out (step S329). Then, an erase mark iswritten in the original entry (step S330), and the bus 112 is released(step S331), thus bringing an end to the sub-routine.

The DSC 120 is capable of such processes as file name change, filedeletion, etc. as functions assembled in the camera in addition to thesub-directory generation and file movement.

Now, play-back of picked-up picture in the DSC 120 by one touchoperation will be described. In the one-touch play-back operation, bydepressing the ERASE switch 114f after image pick-up, the picture thatis picked up immediately before is played-back.

In the prior art DSC with a view finder, an operation of writing data ina recording medium is made after storing picked-up picture in a fieldmemory and confirming the picture with the view finder. However, theseoperations are cumbersome and inconvenient. The above process overcomesthese inconveniences, and permits ready confirmation of the stillpicture that has been picked up. Besides, the number of switches thatare mounted in the DSC 120 is reduced.

FIG. 78 is a flow chart of a "trigger switch process" sub-routine in theimage pick-up process operation based on trigger switch operation in theDSC 120.

In a step S341, such checks as whether write protection of the memorycard loaded in the DSC has been released, whether there is an emptycapacity for image data recording, and whether the applicable format isdone etc. If recording is impossible, a warning process is executed(step S350). If recording is possible, an image pick-up process, such astaking in image data, is executed (step S342). Then, the image data iscompressed and recorded in the memory card 117 (step S343).

Then, the recording frame No. is escaped to the RAM in the systemcontroller 110 (step S344). Then, a header data such as image pick-uptime, image pick-up data, etc. are written in the header file notedabove (step S345). Then, a file close process in a step S346 isexecuted, in which the FAT and directory data in the memory card 117 arewritten in accordance with the recording state. Then, the followingdirectory and FAT are searched (steps S347 and S348) for the next imagepick-up recording. A check as to whether there is remaining memory areacapable of recording is done (step S349). If such memory area exists inthe memory card 117, this subroutine comes to end. If there is no suchmemory area, a "card full" display is made (step S351), thus bringing anend to the sub-routine.

Now, an operation which is brought about in response to the depressionof the ERASE switch 114f for playing-back immediately previouslypicked-up and recorded image will be described with reference to an"ERASE switch process" sub-routine flow chart of FIG. 79.

In a step S361, a check as to whether a recording mode prevails is done.If the recording mode does not prevail, the sub-routine returns. If therecording mode prevails, a check as to whether recording has been madeis done (step S362). This check is done by checking whether therecording frame No. escape process in the step S344 in FIG. 78 has beendone. If the recording has been made, a step S363 is executed.Otherwise, a muting process of making the picture black or blue is made(step S368), and then a step S366 to be described later is executed.

In the step S363, the frame No. that has been escaped in the step S344in the image pick-up process in FIG. 78 is read out, and a playbackframe No. is set (step S364). Then play-back the designated frame No.and corresponding image along with frame No., date of recording, etc. isexecuted (step S365). Then, when the ERASE switch 114f is turned off(step S366), a picked-up picture that has been input via the imagepick-up lens is displayed (step S367), thus bringing an end to thesub-routine.

In the process shown in FIG. 78, it is possible to store a plurality ofimage pick-up frame numbers in the system controller 110. In this case,previously picked-up recorded pictures may be played-back by using theERASE switch 114f together with the UP or DOWN switch 114c or 114d.

Now, an operation of erasing all the data recorded in the memory card inthe DSC 120 will be described. In this all data erase operation, at thetime of the erasing either a mode, in which memory check is done, or amode, in which no memory check is done, is set up.

In the prior art DSC, which is used such a memory card, an opticalmagnetic disk or a floppy disk as the recording medium, initialization,i.e., memory check of memory card, writing of management data and alldata erase operation to erase all recorded data, is necessary beforerecording image data in the memory card, for instance.

To provide for improved camera operation control property, the all dataerase operation and initialization have heretofore been carried out as asingle continuous operation. In the initialization, however, the memorycheck requires a long time. Therefore, a long waiting time has beennecessary whenever the all data erase process is performed. Further, itis naturally considered that it is desired to maintain the format typeprior to the erasing all data, and in such a case inconveniences arefelt.

In the all data erase process in the DSC 120 in this embodiment,initialization and all data erase operation may be done easily asnecessary operations. Besides, it is possible that the user designatesthe initialization format.

In the attribute memory or common memory in the data arrangement of thememory card 117 as shown in FIG. 49, attribute data is recorded in atuple type as shown in FIG. 51. Tables 7 and 8 show abbreviation andmeaning of tuple IDs. These tuple IDs and so forth are based on "IDMemory Card Guideline Ver. 4.1" proposed by the JEIDA. It is assumedthat basic tuples concerning the versatility are arranged in theattribute memory, while tuples concerning the versatility of higherlevel data are arranged in the common memory.

In a boot sector which is provided subsequent to a common memoryattribute information area in the data arrangement of the memory card117, information about the management of FAT and directory is recorded.Table 9 shows the format of the boot sector. Again this format is basedon the "IC Memory Card Guideline Ver. 4.1" proposed by the JEIDA. Inthis boot sector, in a forefront portion, a command for jumping to bootcode, manufacturer's name, etc. are stored, and in a subsequent regionshown as BPB, DOS management information, i.e., information about themanagement of FAT and directory noted above, is stored. By reading outthese data, it is possible to interpret FAT and directory. The data isprovided with a certain degree of freedom.

FIG. 80 is a view showing the configuration of FAT which is recordedsubsequent to the boot sector. In the FAT data recording area,individual entries are divided according to clusters. For example, theindividual entries correspond to cluster 2, cluster 3, . . . , finalcluster. Individual entries have the structure of 12 bits. The first twoentries 0 and 1 are for system reservation. The FAT data structure is achain structure starting with an entry designated by directory and fordesignating successive used clusters. The chain is ended with 0FFFH (Hbeing indicative of the hexadecimal number system). Entry data 0indicates non-use state.

Now all data erase operation will be described with reference to displaystates.

When an operation of erasing all data in the memory card 117 is done,the management area is checked. If the known format is done, only fileerasing is made. If the known format is not done, memory check andformatting are made.

FIG. 81 shows the display screen of the display 113 or monitor when alldata erasing is made in a state, in which a non-formatted memory cardrequiring formatting is mounted. In this case, an erasing mode to bedescribed later is made "mode A". In the erasing operation, an all dataerase preparation mode is set by multiplex depressing the ERASE switch114f and UP switch 114c. As a result, "A mode" is displayed as in (A) inFIG. 81 with flicker of segment "ERASE". Then, by depressing the triggerswitch 119 it is confirmed that the memory card is the non-formattedone. Thus, initialization, i.e., memory check and formatting, arestarted.

Shown in (B) and (C) in FIG. 81 are displays during the initializationprocess. Since the memory check requires long time, the total memorycapacity of the memory card is divided into blocks each of 64 k bytes,and during the memory check operation the non-process blocks are counteddown as shown in (B) and (C) in FIG. 81. These displays indicate thatthe remaining blocks are 16 and 15, respectively, in number. When thenumber of remaining blocks becomes "00" as shown in (D) in FIG. 81, theinitialization is ended.

When the same operation is done as when a formatted memory card islocated, an all data erase preparation state is brought about, and adisplay as shown in (A) in FIG. 18 is made. When a trigger switch 119 isdepressed, the memory card format is checked. If formatting is detected,the all data erasing is ended by merely erasing data that has beenstored in the management area, and the end display as shown in (D) inFIG. 81 is given immediately. This operation is ended in a short periodof time.

Now, an operation of erase mode selection will be described. As theerase mode to be selected, there are "A mode", "B mode" and "C mode" asshown in Table 10. These plurality of erase modes are necessary in orderto be able to cope with various formats including those, in whichattribute information is not written in the common area of the memorycard.

In the "A mode", all data erase operation as described before inconnection with FIG. 81 is made. With a non-formatted memory card,memory check and management area writing are executed. With a formattedmemory card, only data recorded in the management area is erased. In theerasing operation in the "B mode", memory check and management areawriting are executed irrespective of whether formatting is done or not.In the "C mode" erasing operation, the management area writing is madewithout writing common memory attribute information. These modes areselected by repeatedly depressing the UP switch 114c while holding theERASE switch 114f depressed.

FIG. 82 shows the display on the display 113 or monitor at the time ofthe erasing mode selection. Shown in (A) to (C) in FIG. 82 are displayswhen the "A mode", "B mode" and "C mode" are selected, respectively, byrepeatedly depressing the UP switch 114C while holding the ERASE switch114f depressed. When each mode is designated, flicker of the "ERASE"display is caused. By depressing the UP switch 114c, the play-back modeis restored, and a normal display at the time of the play-back isprovided as shown in (D) in FIG. 82.

FIG. 83 is a flow chart of an "UP switch process" sub-routine forselecting the above mode by depressing the ERASE switch 114f and UPswitch 114c. With the depression of the UP switch 114c the presentsub-routine is called, and either "on" or "off" state of the ERASEswitch 114f is checked (step S371). If the switch is "off", thesub-routine is returned. If the switch is "on", a check is done as towhether the memory card is capable of erasing (step S372). This check isdone by checking whether the memory card is provided with a writeprotection and also checking the kind of the memory card, for instancechecking whether the memory card is an I/O card or the like, in whichattribute information for inhibiting access is recorded. If the memorycard is incapable of erasing, an error display as shown in FIG. 84 ismade on the display 113 or monitor, thus bringing an end to thesub-routine. If the memory card is capable of erasing, a step S373 isexecuted.

In the step S373, a check is done as to whether the all data erasepreparation mode has already been set. If the all data erase preparationmode has not been set, an all data erase preparation flag is set (stepS374). Then, flicker of the "ERASE" display is caused, and "-A" isdisplayed (step S375). Subsequently, if the UP switch 114c is notdepressed, a timer is set to 5 sec. (step S376), thus bringing an end tothe sub-routine. If it is found in the step S373 that the all data erasepreparation mode prevails, the erase mode index corresponding to eacherase mode is incremented (step S377). Then the erase mode index ischecked (step S378). If the erase mode has already been the "C mode",the all data erase preparation flag is cleared (step S379), and the"ERASE" display is turned off (step S380), thus causing the sub-routineto be returned.

Then, a "trigger switch process" sub-routine for effecting erasing byoperating the trigger switch 119 will be described with reference to theflow chart of FIG. 85.

Checks as to whether the all data erase preparation mode is "A mode", "Bmode" or "C mode" (steps S391, S392 and S393). In subsequent steps S396,S397 and S398, "all data erase A mode process", "all data erase B modeprocess" and "all data erase C mode process" sub-routines to bedescribed later are called. If none of these mode prevails, the state ofthe ERASE switch 114f is checked (step S394). If the switch is "off",the sub-routine is ended. If the switch is "on", a "one frame eraseprocess" sub-routine to be described later is called (step S395). Afterexecution of one frame erasing, the sub-routine is ended.

FIG. 86 is a flow chart of the "all data erase A mode process"sub-routine, which is called in the step S396. When this sub-routine iscalled, the "ERASE" display is turned on (step S401), and a check as towhether it is possible to erase is done (step S402). This process is thesame check as in the process in the step S372 shown in FIG. 83 andserves as a write protection check process. If it is impossible toerase, an error display (see FIG. 84) is made on the display 113 ormonitor (step S408). Further, as warning from a buzzer is produced, thusbringing an end to the sub-routine.

If it is possible to erase, the boot sector is checked (step S403). Ifthe boot sector data is known, no memory check is necessary, and onlyre-writing of management information is needed. Thus, a step S404 isexecuted. If it is found as a result of the boot sector check that theboot sector is not known or of non-formatting, for the memory check astep S409 is executed, in which all data erase process including memorycheck is made by taking a long time.

In the step S404, FAT chain data is cleared, and then data "0" iswritten in the leading directory entry (step S405). Then, the end oferasing is displayed (step S406), and the display 113 or monitor isrestored to the normal display state (step S407), thus bringing an endto the sub-routine.

In the step S409, the memory capacity of the card is checked. This checkis done by reading out memory capacity data recorded in the deviceinformation tuple. If the data has not been recorded, the memorycapacity is obtained through memory check. In a subsequent step S410,the whole memory capacity is divided by, for instance, 64 k bytes, andthe quotient is displayed as the non-check residual memory capacity. Ina subsequent step S411, a memory check is done to display the non-checkresidual memory capacity in the unit of 64 k bytes. The memory check isdone by successively writing values of 55H and AAH for every 64 k bytes,then reading out the written data and checking the coincidence of value.The operation is continued until the residual memory capacity is "0".Then, attribute information, boot sector, FAT and root directory arewritten (steps S412 to S415) to bring an end to the all data erasing,and then the step S406 is executed. The attribute information and otherwritten data have different data values depending on the memory capacityof the memory card.

FIG. 87 is an "all data erase B mode process" sub-routine which iscalled in the step S397 in FIG. 85. In this sub-routine, the "ERASE"display is turned on (step S421), and a check as to whether it ispossible to erase is done (step S422). If it is impossible to erase, anerror display is made (step S432), and bringing an end to thesub-routine. If it is possible to erase, a step S423 and following stepsare executed. The process in steps S423 through S431 is the same as theseries of erasing operations in the steps S409 to S415, steps S406 andS407 shown in FIG. 86.

FIG. 88 is a flow chart of the "all data erase C mode process"sub-routine which is called in the step S398 shown in FIG. 85. Theprocess in steps S441 through S451 in this sub-routine is the same asthose except the step S426 of writing attribute information from the"all data erase B mode process" sub-routine shown in FIG. 87.

FIG. 89 is a flow chart of the "one frame erase process" sub-routinewhich is called in the step S395 shown in FIG. 85. In this sub-routine,a check as to whether it is possible to erase is done (step S461). If itis possible to erase, an error display is made (step S466), thusbringing an end to the sub-routine. If it is possible to erase, a stepS462 and following steps are executed.

The "ERASE" display is turned on (step S462), and 0E5H indicative of aframe to be erased is written in the leading directory entry of theplayed-back frame (step S463). In the step S405 shown in FIG. 86, "0" iswritten in the directory entry. This indicates that this directory andfollowing directories have not been used. In the case of the one frameerase process, 0E5H is written to indicate that the process is for oneframe erasing. Further, FAT chain as pointed out by the directorypointer is cleared to "0" (step S464). Then, the end of erasing isdisplayed (step S465), and the display 113 or monitor is restored to thenormal display state (step S466), thus bringing an end to thesub-routine.

FIG. 90 is a view showing the leading directory entry which has beensubjected to one frame erasing in the step S463 noted above. In theillustrated state, 0E5H has been written in the leading directory entryof the fourth frame, and the frame has been erased independently. Since00H is written in the sixth frame, it is shown that the following framesare the non-recorded frames. Thus, it is possible to discriminate afile, which has been erased by one frame erasing, and a file which isfollowed by non-recorded files. Further, it is possible to quickly set adirectory entry and following to the non-recorded state by writing 00Hin the leading directory entry.

While the erasing has been described so far, the erasing operationinvolves two operations, i.e., formatting of the medium and erasing ofdata. So far has been described the camera's function of selecting theformatting and erasing, if necessary. Further, the embodiments describedso far concerned with a case, in which with the loading of anon-formatted memory card the user formats the medium to be ready foruse by executing the all data erase operation.

Accordingly, for the user who is not familiar with the concept of theformatting, it is possible to check the card format at the time of theloading of the card, produce an alarm in the case of a non-formattedmemory card and permit formatting by operating the ERASE switch. Thisprocess is shown in the flow chart of FIG. 91.

In the flow chart, "DOS formatted" means a state, in which the attributeinformation, boot sector, FAT and directory have been written correctly,and "DSC formatted" means a state, in which necessary control files havebeen written. For executing the formatting, a format switch may beprovided exclusively, or the ERASE switch may be used to this end aswell, as noted above.

As noted above, with the camera according to the invention an externalunit is connected to the connector, to which any of a plurality ofexternal units can be connected, and interface functions which aresuited to the connected external unit are provided by recognizing theexternal unit with the interface recognition means. Thus, while it ispossible to permit communication of information with a plurality ofexternal units, it is possible to reduce the camera body size andprovide high versatility.

A following embodiment of the invention concerns an image recordingapparatus, in which upon receipt of a call signal from a connectedcommunication line the power source is automatically turned on to beready for supplying signal to be recorded, thus permitting improvementof the versatility and reduction of the power consumption.

FIG. 92 is a perspective view showing a DSC (digital still camera) 120as the embodiment of the image recording apparatus according to theinvention. The DSC 120 is used with an IC memory card 117 as imageinformation recording medium.

The DSC 120 has a camera casing 100, which has an image pick-up lens 101provided at its front for picking up images. The top of the casing 100has operation switches 114a to 114e for instructing control operations,an LCD display 113 and a release switch 119 for instructing the imagepick-up operation. One side of the casing 100 has a video signal outputterminal 107, a connector 115a, which is formed as a mini DIN connectoror the like for transmitting and receiving signals with respect to anexternal unit such as a PC, a modem, etc., and an insertion opening 100afor inserting the memory card 117 as the recording medium.

FIG. 93 is an enlarged-scale view showing the operation switches 114a to114e. The switch 114a is a "POWER" switch for turning on and off thecamera power source. The switch 114b is a "REC/PLAY" switch forinstructing the recording or play-back. The switch 114c is an "UP"switch for effecting one-frame-up of the play-back/erase framedesignation number, and the switch 114d is a "DOWN" switch for effectingone-frame-down of the play-back/erase frame designation number. Theswitch 114e is a "MODEM" switch for providing an instruction to functionthe I/F such as to correspond to a connected modem.

FIG. 94 shows a detailed view of the display 113. The display 113 has asegment "PLAY" to be turned on when playing-back picked-up picture data,a segment "MODEM" to be turned on when a modem is selected ascommunication unit, a segment "CONNECT" to be turned on when theconnected modem is ready or communication, and two different 7-segmentdisplay sections. Of the two 7-segment display sections, one is fordisplaying the frame number, file process state, etc., and the other isfor displaying the number of remaining frames capable of image pick-up.

FIG. 95 is a block diagram showing a controller of the DSC 120. Inresponse to the depression of the release switch 119 (see FIG. 92), theDSC records image pick-up signal as recording signal on the mountedmemory card 117. Also, it plays-back image pick-up recording signal inan image file of a designated frame number from the memory card 117 inresponse to the operation of operation switches 114a to 114e, thusoutputting the corresponding video signal from a video signal outputterminal 107. Further, via a modem the communication of imageinformation is possible through RS-232C I/F 115 as external interfacecircuit for communication, which is a recording signal supply means.

The construction will now be described in detail. At the time of theimage pick-up, an image of the foreground subject is focused by theimage pick-up lens 101 onto a CCD or like image pick-up element providedin an image signal processor 102, which is a recording signal supplymeans. As a result, an image signal is output to an A/D converter 103.The A/D converter 103 digitally converts the image data, and theconverted image data is temporarily stored in a frame memory 104 of theimage memory which is a recording signal supply means. The image data inthe frame memory 104 is analog converted again in a D/A converter 105 tobe output as a video signal through a video encoder 106 to the videooutput terminal 107.

When recording image data on the memory card 117, image data is read outblock by block from the frame memory 104 and compressed in a datacompressing/decompressing circuit 109 by a JPEG (joint photographicexpert group) system or the like to be input via a bus to a card I/F 111as a recording signal supply means. The compressed data is written in adesignated area of the memory card 117.

In play-back, the frame number, etc. are designated by operating the UPand DOWN switches 114c and 114d. The designated frame number, filenumber, etc. are displayed on the LCD display 113. According to thedesignation, a memory area of the memory card 117 is selected, andcorresponding image data is fed through a card I/F 116 and a bus to thedata compressing/decompressing circuit 109 for decompression. Thedecompressed image data is stored in the frame memory 104. This imagedata is read out again from the frame memory 104 to be converted in theD/A converter 105 into an analog signal which is input to the videoencoder 106 for encoding to be output as a video signal from the videosignal output terminal 107.

The individual elements of the DSC 120 are controlled by a systemcontroller 110. Input signals from the operation switches 114a to 114eare input through a display/switch controller 201 which also serves aspower supply control means to the system controller 110 for controlprocesses. The display on the LCD display 113 is effected by thedisplay/switch controller 201 according to instructions from the systemcontroller 110.

A power source circuit 203 is further provided as power source means,which serves as a drive power source section for the individual controlelements. The power supply operation of the power source circuit 203, aswill be described later, is controlled by the display/switch controller201 according to a signal form the POWER switch 114a among the operationswitches and also to a CI signal as a called signal provided withcompletion of connection of an external communication line.

FIG. 96 is a block diagram of a system, which is formed when a modem 222or the like is connected to the DSC 120 for communication with anexternal unit via a telephone line. As shown, a telephone line 223 isconnected to the modem 222, and it is also connected via a modem 224 tothe camera for the other party (the party side camera) 225 or PC(personal computer) 226.

The DSC 120 is shown only for its circuit portion concerning the powersupply and communication control, i.e., a circuit portion including thesystem controller 110, display/switch controller 201 and RS-232C I/F115. In this circuit portion, the display/switch controller 201 and avoltage converter 202 have an exclusive power source 201a in order thatthey are held operative at all times irrespective of the connection ofthe "POWER" switch 114a or modem. The power source circuit 203 which iscontrolled by the display/switch controller 201 executes power supply tothe system controller 110 and RS-232C I/F 115 in response to aninstruction from the display/switch controller 201.

When the camera for the other party 225 is made ready for communicationvia the telephone line 223 and modems 224 and 222, a called signal CI isinput via the modem 222. The called signal CI is input to thedisplay/switch controller 201 via the voltage converter 202. The calledsignal is input via the voltage converter 202 due to the necessity ofvoltage conversion because the modem's output voltage range is ±15 Vwhereas the operating voltage range on the side of the DSC 120 is 0 to 5V. As noted above, the display/switch controller 201 and voltageconverter 202 have the internal power source 201a and are held operativeat all times.

The power-on operation of the circuit portion of the DSC 120 shown inFIG. 96, having the above construction, will now be described.

When the "POWER" switch 114a is operated, the power source circuit 203is made operative by an instruction from the display/switch controller201 to supply power to the system controller 110, RS-232C I/F 115 andother control elements, thus making it ready to perform recording orplay-back in the camera mode.

Meanwhile, when an external unit is connected via modem and made readyfor communication in the "off" state of the "POWER" switch 114a, acalled signal CI is input from the external unit. The CI signal is inputvia the voltage converter 202 to the display/switch controller 201.According to this input, the display/switch controller 201 makes thepower source circuit 203 to be ready for supply power, thus causingpower supply to the system controller 110 and other control elements.Now, it is ready to write recording signal from the camera for the otherparty to the memory card 117.

As shown in FIG. 96, communication is possible with the PC 226 as wellvia the telephone line. Also, the PC 226 can transmit and receive imagedata with respect to the DSC 120. Further, operation under remotecontrol by the PC 226 is possible. Further, power-on process by thecalled signal CI is possible at the time of the start of communicationof the DSC 120.

The power-on operation will now be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 97.

When a called signal is input, a "CI interruption" routine is started.First, the entire system is brought to a power-on state (step S501). Atthis time, the display 113 is held "off". The display is turned on whenthe DSC becomes ready for communication. Subsequently, a CI input flagis set to "1" (step S502).

With the system power-on, a "power-on process" sub-routine on the sideof the system controller 110 is called, and a partial power-on processcorresponding to the power-on in the step S501 is executed (step S503).This partial power-on process is not displayed on the display 113, butit is for making preparations for operations of other control elements.Subsequently, the CI flag is read out (step S504).

Then, the CI flag is checked (step S505) to check whether a new calledsignal CI has been input. If the signal CI has been input, a step S507is executed to call a "communication process" routine. If no signal CIhas been input, it means that the POWER switch 114a has been operated.In this case, a power-on process is executed for preparations foroperation corresponding to the camera mode to execute image pick-up bythe DSC 120 itself or play-back of image.

FIG. 98 is a flow chart of the "communication process" routine. Asshown, a power-on process corresponding to the modem communication modeis executed (step S511). This process causes a display on the display113 to notify that the power-on state is brought about. Then, modemsetting is done by transmitting an AT command (step S512). Then, acommunication message from the partner side is waited (step S513). Then,whether file transmission is to be done is checked according to thecommunication message (step S514). When image file data is to betransmitted from the DSC 120 to the camera for the other party 225, astep S515 is executed. When image file data from the camera for theother party 225 is to be received in the DSC 120, a step S521 isexecuted.

In the step S515, directory data is transmitted, and then a control fileof index image with less pixels is transmitted (step S516). Then, imagefile data is transmitted (step S517), and a step S518 is executed. Whenthe step S521 is selected, memory capacity data, which can be receivedby the DSC 120, is transmitted (step S521). Then, image file data isreceived (step S522), and a step S518 is executed.

In the step S518, the line 223 is disconnected, and then a power-offprocess is executed (step S519). Then, a power-off command is outputfrom the system controller 110 to the display/switch controller 201(step S520). Thus, a power-off state is brought about for the systemcontroller 110 and other control elements than the display/switchcontroller 201, thus bringing an end to the routine.

As has been shown above, when the DSC 120 in this embodiment is toexecute communication with an external unit, the power-on state can bebrought about simultaneously with the start of communication withoutneed for operation of the power switch of the reception side camera bythe user. Further, in the normal waiting state, only the display/switchcontroller 201 and voltage converter 202 are held operative, while theother circuits are supplied with no power. Thus, effective power savingis possible.

The above embodiment is applied to the DSC as the image recordingapparatus, but this is by no means limitative; the invention isapplicable as well to a recording and reproducing (play-back) system,the apparatus of which has no image pick-up means.

Now, a modification will be described, in which a PC (personal computer)is applied as an external communication unit for the DSC.

FIG. 99 is a block diagram showing a system, which is formed byconnecting a PC 231 to the DSC 230 in this modification. Of the DSC 230in this modification, only a circuit portion concerning the power supplyand communication control, including the system controller 110,display/switch controller 201 and RS-232C I/F 115, is shown. However,elements like those in the preceding embodiment are designated by likereference numerals. The structure which is not shown is the same as inthe preceding embodiment.

In this circuit portion, when the PC 231 is connected to be ready forcommunication, a transmission signal SD is input, which is utilized as acalled signal. The transmission signal SD is input to the RS-232C I/F115, and is also input via the voltage converter 202 to thedisplay/switch controller 201, thus causing a power-on process to makethe DSC 230 ready for communication as will be described later. As inthe previous embodiment, the signal is input via the voltage converter202 because of the necessity of voltage conversion since the outputvoltage range of the PC is ±15 V whereas the operation range on the sideof the DSC 230 is 0 to 5 V. When the DSC 230 transmits data to the PC231, it outputs the transmission data RD of the PC 231 through theRS-232C I/F 115. The connector in the state of communication between theDSC 230 and PC 231 has three leads including the grounding line.

FIG. 100 is a time chart of the transmitted and received signals SD andRD. The signals include a start bit signal, which rises up from -15 V to+15 V at the time of the transmission start and has a predeterminedpulse duration, and a stop bit signal, which falls down from +15 V to-15 V at the end of transmission and has a predetermined pulse duration.

Now, the power-on operation of the circuit portion of the DSC 230 shownin FIG. 99 having the above construction, will be described withreference to the flow chart of FIG. 101.

When the transmitted signal SD is input from the side of the PC 231, a"SD interruption" routine is started. First, the power-on state of theentire system is brought about (step S531). At this time, the display113 is held "off". The display 113 is subsequently turned on when theDSC is made ready for communication. Subsequently, the SD input flag isset to "1" (step S532).

Meanwhile, with the system power-on, a "power-on process" subroutine onthe side of the system controller 110 is called, and a partial power-onprocess corresponding to the power-on in the step S531 is executed (stepS533). Again in this partial power-on, no display on the display 113 iscaused. Then, the SD flag is read out (step S534). Then the SD flag ischecked (step S535) to check whether there has been the SD input.

If there has been no SD input, it means that the POWER switch in the DSC230 has not been operated, and a power-on process is executed incorrespondence to the camera mode for image pick-up or play-back in theDSC 230 itself.

If there has been the SD input, the communication process by the RS-232Cis started (step S536). However, if communication fails to be held in apredetermined period of time, for instance 0.5 second, it is determinedthat normal data fails to be input (step S537). Then, steps S538 andS539 are executed to execute a power-off process and output a power-offcommand, thus bringing an end to the routine. When the power-off commandis output, a "reception process" routine is called, and a systempower-off process by the display/switch controller 201 is executed.

As has been shown, with the DSC 230 in this modification it is possibleto bring the camera from the power-off to the power-on state with twosignal lines for transmission and reception (three lines with inclusionof a common line). It is thus possible to improve the operation controlproperty of the remote control of the PC from the camera. Of coursethere are effects noted above obtainable with the DSC in the previousembodiment.

Now, an image communication adapter will be described, which is anapparatus or unit related to the DSC 120 or 230 noted above. It is anexternally connected unit, which permits concentrated operations such asmodem control, data transmission and reception, camera control, etc.through an external communication line and can improve thecumbersomeness of the camera body key operation and display.

In the prior art DSC, it has been impossible to transmit data directlyby using a telephone line, and it has been necessary to provide settingfrom the PC (personal computer) for the transmission. Further, therecording medium is taken out of the camera and mounted in a separateexclusive transmitter for data transmission therefrom. Further, in a DSCdisclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. H2-309875, an adapter ismounted on the camera for transfer of data with the PC via the adapter.

However, the above status of data transmission from the DSC, hascumbersomeness in connection with the take-up of data to the PC for datatransmission and also preparations for the exclusive transmitter.Further, the provision of a transmission process section in the DSCcomplicates the software and also the display and operations. Therefore,this concept has been impractical.

Further, with the DSC disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application No.H2-309875, if it is intended to make communication with an external unitby using a telephone line, it is necessary to connect a telephone setseparately from the adapter and call the partner side with the telephoneset, which is a very cumbersome status.

The present image communication adapter can preclude the abovedeficiencies and permits the operation and display concerning the datatransfer to be effected on it, thus preventing the operation control ofthe camera and display from becoming cumbersome.

FIG. 102 shows a block diagram of the present adapter 150 and also theconnection of DSC 153, which is a camera connected to the adapter 150,modem 154 and telephone set 155. FIG. 103 is a perspective view showingthe state of connection between the adapter 150 and each connectedapparatus or unit.

The adapter 150 has its control elements controlled by a CPU 141.Communication with the modem 154 is made via an RS-232C driver 144 whichis a second interface, and communication with the DSC 153 is made via anRS-232C driver 145 which is a first interface. A key matrix 142 isdisposed as operating means, which comprises ten keys and framedesignation key for designating the telephone number of a communicationtelephone line or instructing an operation to the DSC 153 or memory keysfor storing a telephone number. Its output is input to the CPU 141. AnLCD display 143 is provided for displaying a telephone number, a framenumber, the partner side of communication, whether currently the cameraor modem side is in operation, whether data is being transmitted orreceived, etc. A power source circuit 146 is provided to supply drivepower to the RS-232C drivers 144 and 145 and CPU 141.

The modem 154 includes a switch 154a to permit switching of theconnection to the telephone set 155 or a different DSC or PC. Thetelephone set 155 is not essential, but it is possible to call thepartner side of communication via the telephone set 155. The modem 154also includes a manual transmission/reception switch 154b to bedescribed later. As the basic specifications of the modem 154, generallyutilized modem specifications may be used.

The operation of the DSC 153 utilizing the adapter 150 having the aboveconstruction will now be described in connection with communication.When a called signal from the modem 154 is received by the RS-232Cdriver 144 of the adapter 150, it is output from the RS-232C driver 145via the CPU 141 to the DSC 153, whereby a power-on process for startingcommunication with an external unit is executed. This process is thesame as the power-on process described before in connection of theprevious embodiment of the invention. However, it is possible to executea modem power-on process. Subsequently, image information or the likemay be transmitted or received via the drivers and CPU.

By the way, using the adapter it is possible to select, prior tocommunication, the partner side thereof by operating the ten keys in thekey matrix 142 shown in FIG. 103, and setting designation and managementof the frame number on the side of the camera 153, and image pick-upconditions and so forth. The communication switching between thetelephone line and camera in the modem 154 is possible by operating theknob of the manual transmission/reception switch 154b shown in FIG. 103.The manual transmission/reception switch 154b provides functions asshown in Table 11 below corresponding to switch knob positions ANS, AAand ORG. The adapter 150 may of course be integral with the modem 154.

Now, an image data file management system in the DSC 120 in the aboveembodiment will be described, which may be a FAT system supported by theDOS as described before or an image data management system using asimilar memory management system and capable of convenient use.

In the DSC image data is recorded as data file in the memory card asrecording medium by image pick-up or communication. FIG. 104 is a viewthe memory area arrangement in the memory card as recording medium. Asfor the memory area, as proposed by JEIDA (Japan Electronic IndustriesDevelopment Association), in a boot sector area FAT (file allocationtable) to be described later and root directory (hierarchical structure)are stored as management area information because the OS (operatingsystem) of the I/F of the DSC uses DOS.

The format of the boot sector is shown in Table 9. This format conformsto "IC Memory Card Guideline Ver. 4.1" as proposed by the JEIDA. In theboot sector, in a forefront portion a command for jumping to boot code,manufacturer's name, etc. are stored, and in a subsequent region shownas BPB is stored DOS management information, i.e., managementinformation about FAT and directory. By reading out these data, it ispossible to interpret FAT and directory. These data are given somedegree of freedom.

Further, data recording area information is recorded in a chain form inthe FAT area, and information about how data is recorded in datarecording area to be described later is recorded in the root directoryarea.

FIG. 105 is a view showing the configuration of the FAT which isrecorded subsequent to the boot sector. In the FAT data recording area,individual entries correspond to respective clusters, e.g., 2nd cluster,3rd cluster, . . . , final cluster. Each entry has a 12-bitconfiguration. The first two entries, i.e., entries 0 and 1, are forsystem reservation. The FAT data structure is of a chain structurestarting with an entry designated by directory and designatingsuccessive clusters. The chain ends with OFFFH (H being indicative ofthe hexadecimal system). Entry data "0" indicates the non-use state.Subsequent to the FAT root directory information is stored.

FIG. 106 shows entries constituting the root directory. These entries 0,1, . . . correspond to image files of data areas of respective framenumbers. When a sub-directory is produced, however, the correspondingentry becomes a directory entry for the sub-directory. The sub-directorydata is stored in the data area. In entry 0 of the sub-directory arestored the file name "·" and own position information. In entry 1 arestored the file name "··" and higher-order directory positioninformation. Directory data are stored in entry 2 and following entries.

FIG. 107 shows the format of a 32-byte directory entry. Attribute valuesand attribute contents are shown in Table 6.

The data recording area provided subsequent to the root directory areais constituted by image files. In each image file is written data forone frame of image. As shown in FIG. 104, each image file comprises aheader and an image data section for storing image itself.

As shown in FIG. 108, in the header are stored a specification tuple, adata form tuple, an image pick-up information tuple and a comment tuple.The specification tuple gives specification version, kind of file, i.e.,whether the file is of video, sound or control, and header size. Thedata form tuple gives the form of the file body, i.e., the form ofholding image data such as JPEG, non-compressed, PICT, etc. In the imagepick-up information tuple is recorded image pick-up information such asthe shutter speed, stop, etc. In the comment tuple is recordedexplanation of image pick-up, etc.

FIG. 109 is a view showing the data configuration of the tuple type.This tuple comprises a tuple ID representing prescribed data, the nexttuple pointer and tuple data.

In the prior art DSC image file management method, the size of one imagefile area, as shown in FIG. 110(A), is determined and variable accordingto the extent of compression of picked-up image data. However, whenerasing one image data and recording a separate image data in that area,the data area may be small and insufficient. In such a case, it has beennecessary to record the excess portion of the image data in a separatecluster. Further, since the size is variable, it has been impossible toindicate the accurate number of remaining frames ready for recording.

Accordingly, an apparatus and a method of image data encoding have beenproposed, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open PublicationH4-167868. The disclosed apparatus concerns an encoder for controllingthe coding amount to be constant. By applying this image data encoding,it is possible to make the coding amount per picture to be constant witha DSC, in which data is compressed by means of quantization and entropyencoding method in conformity to JPEG standards.

However, because of the data compression by entropy encoding a certainerror is produced in the coding amount as a result. Therefore, it hasbeen impossible to accurately determine the number of image data filesready for recording.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication H4-183066 discloses an imageprocessing system, in which a compression rate is set by identifying theinput image size. In a presently proposed image data management systemto be described later, the input image size is preliminarily fixed, andthus the method of encoding is different.

The proposed image data management system can overcome the abovedeficiency. In this system, means is provided, which can make the filesize constant or fixed even if the size of the image data body is notaccurately constant. Thus, the number of image data frames capable ofrecording in a medium can be certified, thus improving the convenienceof use. Now, the image data processing system as noted above will bedescribed in detail.

FIG. 111 is a view showing an image data recording area which isprovided subsequent to a data management area in the proposed image datamanagement system. As shown, each of image files B1, B2 and B3 comprisesa header, an image data section and each of "0" data sections B1a, B2aand B3a. In the "0" data sections B1a, B2a and B3a, value "0" iswritten. As shown, the size of the area is varied according to imagedata. Further, the header recording area need not be constant. While inthe example of FIG. 111 the image file size is constant, the file sizemay suitably be varied using a switch or the like.

The operation of data recording in image data file using the proposedimage data management system, will now be described with reference tothe flow charts of FIGS. 112 and 113. The DSC itself is of the samestructure as described before in connection with FIG. 95 and will bedescribed with the same reference numeral.

FIG. 112 shows a "process at the time of card insertion". First, amanagement area such as boot sector in the memory card 117 is checked(step S551). Then, a check as to whether the recording mode prevails isdone (step S552). If the recording mode does not prevail, a play-backprocess is executed (step S559). If the recording mode prevails, a checkis done as to whether the memory card 117 is provided with protection(step S553). If the protection is provided, warning is issued (stepS560). If no protection is provided, the number of frames capable ofrecording is retrieved from the FAT (step S554). In this case, theaccurate number of frames capable of recording can be obtained becausethe image file size is fixed or set.

Further, recording frames are determined by checking the directory (StepS555). Then, a sufficient memory area for writing image data isretrieved from the FAT (step S556). If it is found as a result of acheck (step S557) that there is no area capable of recording, a warningis issued (step S561). If an area capable of recording is detected, astep S558 is executed, in which the recording start address iscalculated and is stored in a memory in the system controller 110, thusbringing an end to the routine.

Now, the operation of executing image pick-up with depression of thetrigger switch 119 will be described with reference to the flow chart ofa "trigger process" shown in FIG. 113.

When the trigger switch 119 is depressed while the recording mode hasbeen set up, the trigger process is called, and a check as to whether itis ready to record is done (step S571). If there is no empty memoryarea, unless it is impossible to record data such as the presence of theprotection, a warning is generated (step S590). If it is possible torecord data, an image recording start address is set (step S572). Then,the file final address is set from the fixed file size noted above (stepS573). Further, compression specifications, i.e., compressionparameters, which do not exceed that address are set. Then an imagepick-up process is executed (step S574), and a compression process isexecuted (step S575). A check is then done as to whether there has beenan overflow of the compressed data (step S576). If there is an overflow,the compression parameters are changed (step S591), and then the stepS575 is executed. The parameter change process is not executed so muchif appropriate setting has been done in the step S573.

If it is confirmed in the step S576 that there is no overflow, the finaladdress is read out (step S577). Further, value "0" is written in thenext address to the final address of the pertinent image data file (stepS578). If the data in this area may not be "0" but may be indefinitedata, the process in the step S578 is unnecessary. In a subsequent stepS579 the file header is written, and then a step S580 is executed.

In the step S580, the directory is written. In this case, the file sizeis fixed. Then, FAT is written (step S581). This is done so for settinga state, in which the FAT of the used memory area has been used. Whenthis process is done, the DOS management area setting has all beenended.

Then, the number of frame capable of recording is decremented (stepS582), and the next recording frame is determined by retrieving thedirectory (step S583). Then, a memory area capable of recording data isretrieved from the FAT (step S584), and a check is done as to whetherthere is the area (step S585). If there is no area capable of recording,a warning is generated (step S592). If there is an area capable ofrecording, a step S586 is executed, in which the recording start addressis calculated and stored in a memory in the system controller 110, thusbringing an end to the routine.

As has been shown, with a camera, to which this system is applied, it ispossible to permit speed increase of the compression process throughcontrol such as to permit certain fluctuations so long as the image datasize is less than a predetermined value. Further, by fixing the filesize it can be guaranteed that the an intermediate memory area is in areleased memory area in the one frame erase mode, thus permittingeffective use of memory. Further, it is possible to increase thecontinuous image pick-up speed of the camera, thus facilitating the DOSmanagement.

While the DSC used with the memory card as the recording medium has beendescribed, the invention is applicable as well to other recording media,such as flexible disks, hard disks and other magnetic recording mediaand further optical recording media.

In the DSC that has been described earlier, a large number of stillimages are recorded as data files in an information recording mediumsuch as a memory card or a floppy disk. Thus, the image informationretrieval property naturally determines the commercial value or utilityvalue of the DSC.

In the meantime, the DOS (disk operating system) of personal computerswhich is currently popular in various fields, generally uses aninformation file management method based on a hierarchical structure,i.e., hierarchical directories. In the method of information filemanagement based on the hierarchical structure directories, the positionof recording area on memory for recording each file data (correspondedby memory cluster number) and file name are registered in a register,i.e., a commonly termed directory. The file may, if necessary, bedesignated via the directory name and file name in dependence on itskind and content, thus permitting retrieval of a file of desiredinformation.

When the operator of the personal computer desires visual observation ofthe status of classification of information files on the basis ofhierarchical directories, registered positions of information files canbe known by displaying the tree structure of the hierarchicaldirectories on a monitor. FIG. 114 shows an example of display of thetree structure. A root directory which is shown by mark "¥" comprisesthree sub-directories "DOS", "BAT" and "USR". As for the sub-directory"USR", it is readily possible to designate or confirm a desiredinformation file by operating a keyboard while observing thesub-directory tree structure of "C" and "PASCAL" which are in a onelevel lower layer. This method of file selection and designation isparticularly very useful in case when file has many complicatedbranches.

In the personal computer file system, the files that are recorded havevarious sizes. For economically utilizing the memory area, the file dataare recorded successively by finding empty memory areas, usuallyclusters as units of memory area. The state of sequence of one file areais stored, and at the time of play-back and output, the sequence isplayed-back or output as a file. The file arrangement information area,in which the sequence of file recording area is stored, is called FAT(file allocation table).

With the prior art DSC, image information is picked up for each theme,for instance "sports meeting", "picnic", "trip", etc., and is merelysuccessively recorded in a recording area of the medium. However, whenit is desired to play-back picked-up pictures, these pictures have to beselected from a large quantity of image information for specific themesor dates. If the search is done by mere button operation, the efficiencyis inferior, and the user can not withstand the cumbersomeness. Thisinconvenience is pronounced in case of a recording medium, in whichrecorded data is erased or superimposed image data is present. Further,with an electronic camera which is used with a large capacity memorycard as recording medium, the conventional sole button operation asnoted above is disadvantageous time-wise as well, thus greatly spoilingthe commercial value.

The use of the method of the hierarchical structure directory tree typedisplay as noted above for the management and display of imageinformation records obtained with an DSC, is suitable for the managementof a large quantity of still image information as noted above andfurther extends the scope of utility of the DSC itself.

However, the electronic camera should be compact in shape in view of itsportability. In addition, it can not be provided with a keyboard, whichhas a switch group for the tree display. Therefore, it has been inpractice to have resort to the conventional pure button operation toselect play-back images.

The following embodiment of the invention can preclude the abovedeficiencies. The embodiment is an electronic image pick-up apparatus,in which even without any large size monitor section or a keyboardsection that is applicable to a personal computer or the like file, fileinformation of image information recorded with a directory structure isdisplayed in a limited display section area by making use of the meritsof the tree display, thus permitting efficient and quick selection ofplay-back pictures of image information as required for the electronicimage pick-up apparatus.

The embodiment includes directory structure informationrecording/reproducing (play-back) means for recording or playing-backimage information with a directory structure on or from a recordingmedium. The embodiment also includes directory structure positiondisplay means, which can display on its own display the positioning ondirectory of information that is to be or has been recorded orplayed-back by the directory structure information recording/reproducingmeans.

FIG. 115 is a perspective view showing an DSC as the embodiment of theelectronic image pick-up apparatus. The DSC as this embodiment is usedwith a solid memory card as image information recording medium. Thistype of DSC is hereinafter referred to as DSC (solid-state memorycamera). In the DSC, picked-up image data for each picture is stored asdata file in the memory card. At this time, as file information (i.e.,information about the configuration of file that is set on the recordingmedium), is used positioning information about file configuration whichmay have a hierarchical structure supported by the personal computerDOS, i.e., (hierarchical) directory file information, for recording orplaying-back image data. Further, the display of the file informationwith the hierarchical directory is provided as a display on a LCDdisplay 312 as shown in FIG. 122, which is a one-line hierarchicalstructure positioning information display means comprising a first and asecond display section 312a and 312b.

As shown in FIG. 115, in the DSC a camera casing 320 has an imagepick-up lens 301 provided at its front, and one of its sides has a cardinsertion opening, through which a memory card 314 can be inserted andtaken out. The top of the camera casing 320 has a power switch 324 forturning on and off the power source and a recording switch 325 as arelease switch. Further, a top rear portion of the camera casing 320 isprovided with operation switches 311 for recording and play-backoperations, etc. and also with a LCD display 312 for displaying fileinformation (i.e., information about the file configuration) byhierarchical directory (root directory and sub-directory) of image data.

FIG. 116 is a block diagram showing a signal processing system of theDSC. As shown, in the DSC when recording or playing-back image, thememory card 314 is inserted in a card interface (I/F) 313 to be readyfor recording or play-back. In the image pick-up state, foreground imageis focused by the image pick-up lens 301 on a CCD or like image pick-upelement which is provided in an image signal processor 302, whereby animage signal is output to an A/D converter 303. Image data thatcorresponds to the image signal having been digitalized in the A/Dconverter 303, is converted again to an analog signal in a D/A converter305 and then subjected to a predetermined encoding process in a videoencoder 306 to be output as a video signal. When the play-back data isfrom a non-recorded area, a muting process is performed in the videoencoder 306 according to a mute signal provided from a system controller310.

When recording image data on memory card, image data from a RAM 304 isread out block by block and then compressed in a datacompressing/decompressing circuit 307 in an orthogonal conversionencoding process using DCT (discrete cosine transform) or the likebefore being input through a bus to the card I/F 313. The compresseddata is thus written in a designated area of the memory card 314. Therecording area is designated by the hierarchical directory.

In play-back, an image file to be played-back is designated withreference to directory information of the image file as a subject ofaccess as displayed on the LCD display 312. According to thisdesignation, a memory area of the memory card 314 is selected, andcorresponding image data is read out via the card I/F 313 to be inputvia the bus to the data compressing/decompressing circuit 307. In thecircuit 307, the image data is decompression decoding processed. Theprocessed data is stored in the RAM 304. The image data is read outagain from the RAM 304 to be converted in a D/A converter 305 into ananalog signal. The analog signal is then encoded in a video encoder 306to be output as a video signal.

A system controller 310 supplies predetermined control signal to variousparts of the DSC according to instructions from the operation switchgroup 311. It also effects hierarchical structure information play-backcontrol with image data directory and also display control management ofthe hierarchical structure (i.e., file information).

FIG. 117 shows the switch arrangement of the operation switch group 311.As shown, the switch group comprises a REC/PLAY switch 311a forswitching recording and play-back modes, a frame UP switch 311b for oneframe up accessing image data file registered in the hierarchicaldirectory according to the directory sequence at the time of therecording/play-back, a frame DOWN switch 311c for one frame downaccessing image data file, a D-UP switch 311d for up shifting the layerof the hierarchical directory of the image data file as a subject ofretrieval for recording/play-back, a D-DOWN switch 311e for downshifting the hierarchical directory layer, and a MD switch 311f forproducing an area of the hierarchical directory to let image file to beready for recording in that directory.

As for the DSC image data, one frame of image data is handled as a file.The hierarchical directory file system is utilized to manage therecording and play-back of the image file. The file system in the DSCwill now be described briefly.

The memory card 314 has memory areas which are assigned to a FAT areafor recording the FAT information therein, a root directory area forrecording root directory information therein, and a data area forrecording image data body therein. When recording image data in thenon-use state, i.e., in a state without provision of any new directoryarea, as shown in FIG. 118, the file name, file A, file B, . . . areregistered in the root directory, and image data are recordedsuccessively in the designated memory areas. In FIG. 118, mark "¥"designates the root directory. When a sub-directory is produced in theroot directory, sub-directory b is registered in the root directory,thus securing a sub-directory in the low-order layer, i.e., the secondlayer, with directory name b, as shown in FIG. 119. In the sub-directoryb, image data files, the file names of which are files E to G, can beregistered. As the directory information, cluster numbers indicative ofthe positions of memory areas, in which file data are stored, arewritten in directory entries to be described later, and files areaccessed according to that information.

It is possible to produce a sub-directory d in the third layer in thesub-directory b. In such sub-directory, files J, K, etc. can berecorded. Further, as shown in FIG. 119, by producing a separatesub-directory c in the root directory, files H, I, etc. can beregistered in the second layer directory. The image files to be recordedin the above individual sub-directories may be registered in aclassified state, for instance into a group of the same theme scenepictures or a group of pictures picked up in the same image pick-upperiod.

As for the image data play-back, if it is desired not only tosuccessively play back image data files A, B and C in the root directorybut also to play back sole files E, F and G of classified image data,this can be done by selecting the sub-directory b directly. By so doing,desired data can be quickly played-back.

FIG. 120 is a view showing a further specific example of thehierarchical directory structure shown in FIG. 119 for image data filesin the DSC. This hierarchical directory comprises a root directory a,second layer sub-directories b and c and a third layer sub-directory d,these directory and sub-directories being in a tree-like relation to oneanother. In each directory information recording area, except for theroot directory, at the leading 2-byte directory pointer indicative ofthe a memory area, in which the high-order directory information isstored, is written. It is possible to return from this pointer to thehigh-order directory position. In a subsequent area, a sub-directory ordirectory entry as image data file directory information is recorded.

FIG. 121 shows the directory entry. As shown, the file name, attribute,time instant of production, date of production, leading cluster numberat the position of recording of the corresponding file or sub-directory,file size, etc. are recorded. As for the file name, the file name isregistered when the corresponding file is a data file, while a directoryname is registered when the file is a sub-directory.

As for the attribute, file data shows the kind of sub-directory or kindof file. It is possible to access image file data or sub-directory withthe leading cluster number. In the case of image file, as for thecluster number of the area, in which data constituting one file isrecorded, the leading cluster number and following cluster numberinformation are written in the FAT area of the memory card 114. Thedirectory information of the sub-directory is written in an areaprovided in the file area of the memory card 114 when the directory isproduced.

When registering a file as image data to be recorded on thesub-directory by using the hierarchical directory, a directory isproduced by operating the MD switch 311f among the operation switches311 shown in FIG. 117 to secure the image file recording area. Forvertically moving the directory position for file accessing, thehierarchical directory access position is moved vertically by operatingthe D-UP or D-DOWN switch 311d or 311e. The image file to be recorded isselected with the frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311b and 311c. It ispossible to obtain access of tree work system by continuously operatingthe frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311b and 311c. In accessing, thefiles in the prevailing hierarchical directory are accessedsuccessively. When a sub-directory appears, files in the pertinentlow-order hierarchical sub-directory are accessed. When the accessing ofthe files in that sub-directory is completed, files positioning in thehigh-order hierarchical directory are accessed.

With respect to the file name of a recording-free image file directoryentry, a value "0" is written. Whenever image data is written, a serialnumber is given for registration as the file name of the pertinentdirectory entry. As for the position on memory for file recording, anon-used area is searched according to the FAT information, andrecording is done in that area.

When playing-back image data, the hierarchical position of thehierarchical directory of file is vertically moved by operating the D-UPor D-DOWN switch 311d or 311e. The image file to be played-back isselected with the frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311b and 311c. Themode designation for the recording or play-back operation is done byoperating the REC/PLAY switch 311a.

FIG. 122 is a plan view showing the display 312. The displays "REC" 312cand "PLAY" 312d are turned on when the recording and play-back modes ofthe camera are set respectively. A first and a second display section312a and 312b are one-line 7-segment display sections. In thisembodiment of the DSC, the directory name or file name, to which animage file to be recorded or played-back belongs, is given a number,such as 1, 2, . . . , in correspondence to the file or sub-directory indirectory information shown in FIG. 120. A hyphenation display 312f is aconnection symbol between the first and second display sections 312a and312b. Further, a one-digit display section 312e is provided. The firstand second display sections 312a and 312b can display only twohierarchical layers. The display section 312e thus displays the numberof concealed high-order hierarchical layers the hierarchical directorydisplayed on the first display section 312a.

FIG. 123 shows states of display on the display 312 when the recordingfile is moved by operating the frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311b and311c among the operation switches 311 in the recording mode. In thestate of display shown in (A) in FIG. 123, "01" is displayed on thefirst display section 312a, indicating that the image file to berecorded is a file of file name 1 in the root directory (corresponded byfile A in FIG. 120). Likewise, the state of display shown in (B) is that"02" is displayed on the first display section 312a, indicating that theimage file for recording is a file 2 in the root directory (correspondedby file B in FIG. 120). The file name thus displayed can correspond tothe frame number, and this is a feature of the embodiment. In the stateof display shown in (C), "04" is displayed on the first display section312a, while "01" is displayed on the second display section 312b. Thismeans that the recording image file designation is a file of file name 1(corresponded by file E shown in FIG. 120) in a sub-directory designatedby directory name 4 of the root directory (corresponded by sub-directoryb shown in FIG. 120). In (D) in FIG. 123 is shown that the recordingimage file designation is a file of file name 2 (corresponded by file Fin FIG. 120) in a sub-directory designated by directory name 4 of thedirectory (corresponded by sub-directory b in FIG. 120). The switchingof files from the state shown in (A) to the state shown in (D) in FIG.123, is effected by operating the frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311band 311c among the operation switches 311. By subsequently continuallydepressing the frame UP switch 311b, in the directory hierarchy shown inFIG. 120 the sub-directory b is returned to the root directory, and thefile D is accessed.

Shown in (A) in FIG. 124 is a display of directory in the recording modewhich is set up after power-on subsequent to the mounting of the newmemory card 314 in the DSC. At this time, no sub-directory has beenproduced yet, and it is shown as "01" on the first display section 312athat the directory as the subject of access is of the first file name 1in the root directory. Thus, by depressing the MD switch 311f fordirectory production, sub-directory 1 is produced in the first directoryof the root directory, and "01" is displayed on the second displaysection 312b to indicate that file name 1 in sub-directory 1 is readyfor recording ((B) in FIG. 124). When the recording is subsequentlycontinued successively until reaching of a file registration limit inthe registration permissible area in the sub-directory, the directoryhierarchy returns to the high-order layer, in this case to the rootdirectory, and "02" is displayed as the next file recording position((C) in FIG. 124).

If it is desired to move to a separate sub-directory before the reachingof the file registration limit of the sub-directory, by operating theD-UP switch 311d the directory position may be moved to a high-orderlayer, for instance the root directory, for recording. While thedesignated file is switched successively by operating the frame UP andframe DOWN switches 311b and 311c, if there is a sub-directory, thehierarchy may be moved to the pertinent sub-directory for successivedesignation in that directory. If there is no sub-directory, the filesin the root directory are successively accessed.

While the directory or file designation in the play-back mode has beendescribed, the directory up-down operation in the play-back mode may besimilarly performed with the operation of the frame UP and frame DOWNswitches 311b and 311c.

The sub-directory position is of course not limited to the above twohierarchical layers, and it is possible to shift the access position todeeper hierarchical layer sub-directories.

Shown in (A) of FIG. 125 is the LCD display 312 in a state of display ofa second hierarchical layer sub-directory section registered in the rootdirectory. In this state, "02" is displayed as the second hierarchicallayer directory in the root directory "01". By operating the D-DOWNswitch 311e, the directory position is lowered as shown in (B) in FIG.125. That is, the second hierarchical layer display "02" is shifted tothe first display section 312a, and the first file "01" in the thirdhierarchical layer sub-directory is newly displayed. At this time, data"01" indicative of the root directory designation position, which hasbeen displayed in the first display section 312a, is erased. However,"1" is displayed in the display section 312e to permit visualrecognition of the fact that there is one concealed hierarchical layer.By subsequently returning the directory to the high-order level byoperating the D-UP switch 311d, the root directory name "01" isdisplayed again in the first display section 312a. In the second displaysection 312b, the file access position of the second hierarchical layersub-directory is incremented by one, and file name "03" is displayed((C) in FIG. 125).

The display of directories of a plurality of hierarchical layers may bemade more readily recognizable by increasing the digits in the displaysections. Further, while in the embodiment numbers are used fordisplaying the file or directory name, it is also possible to usealphabet letters for the display. Further, it is possible to use dotmatrix LCDs for the display sections.

The operations of the recording and play-back processes in theembodiment of the DSC having the construction as described above on thebasis of the hierarchical directory image file management, will now bedescribed with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 126 to 132.

FIG. 126 shows a flow chart of a "switch process" in the DSC. Thisprocess is a routine, in which an image file management directory isproduced by operating the switches in the operation switch group 311 andalso the recording switch 325, or in which recording or play-back ismade by image file accessing by utilizing the directory information.

First the state of the REC/PLAY switch 311a is checked (step S601). Ifthe switch is "on", i.e., if the play-back mode has been selected, astep S608 is executed to call a "play-back mode process" sub-routine forplaying-back the accessed image file. If the switch is "off", the stateof the recording switch 325 is checked (step S602). If the switch is"on", it is determined that an image pick-up instruction has beenoutput, and thus a step S609 is executed to call an "image pick-up modeprocess" sub-routine for performing image pick-up. If the switch is"off", a step S603 is executed.

In the step S603, the state of the MD switch 311f is checked. If theswitch is "ON", it is determined that a directory production instructionhas been output, and thus a step S610 is executed to call a "directoryproduction process" sub-routine (see FIG. 127) to be described later. Ifthe switch is "off", a step S604 is executed.

In the step S604, the state of the frame UP switch 311b is checked. Ifthe switch is "on", it is determined that an instruction forincrementing the pertinent directory access position has been output,and a step S311 is executed to call an "UP switch process" sub-routine(see FIG. 128). If the switch is "off", a step S605 is executed.

In the step S605, the state of the frame DOWN switch 311c is checked. Ifthe switch is "on", it is determined that an instruction fordecrementing the pertinent directory access position has been output.Thus, a step S612 is executed to call a "DOWN switch process"sub-routine to be described later. If the frame DOWN switch 311c is"off", a step S606 is executed.

In the step S606, the state of the D-UP switch 311d is checked. If theswitch is "off", it is determined that an instruction for shifting thedirectory to be accessed to high-order hierarchical layer, and thus astep S613 is executed to call a "directory UP process" sub-routine (seeFIG. 130) to be described later. If the switch is "off", a step S607 isexecuted.

In the step S607, the state of the D-DOWN switch 311e is checked. If theswitch is "on", it is determined that an instruction for shifting thedirectory to be accessed to low-order hierarchical layer has beenoutput, and thus a step S614 is executed to call a "directory DOWNprocess" sub-routine to be described later. If the switch is "off", theroutine goes back to the step S601 to repeat the process describedabove.

FIG. 127 shows a flow chart of the above "directory production process"sub-routine. In this process, first an empty cluster as a recording-freearea is searched from the FAT in the memory card 314 (step S621), andthen a check whether the empty cluster is present is done (step S622).If there is no empty cluster, a warning such as flickering of thedisplay 312 is generated (step S627), thus bringing an end to thesub-routine. If there is empty cluster, the sub-directory is registeredin the directory entry (step S623), and the sub-directory area isinitialized (step S624). At this time, code "0" is written at theleading of the file directory entry. Then, the first file of thesub-directory thus produced is made the next recording position (stepS625). Then, the directory name and file name on the display 312 areupdated (step S628).

FIG. 128 shows a flow chart of the "UP switch process" sub-routine. Inthis process, first a check as to whether the prevailing directory isthe final entry area (step S631). If so, no file can be registered inthe pertinent sub-directory, and thus a step S635 is executed to call a"final entry process" sub-routine (see FIG. 129) to be described later.If the directory is not the final entry, a check as to whether theattribute of the next directory represents a sub-directory is done (stepS632). If a sub-directory is represented, a step S636 is executed tocall a "sub-directory process" sub-routine (see FIG. 131) to bedescribed later. If no sub-directory is represented, the next directoryentry is designated as a recording position (i.e., recording frameposition) (step S633). Then, the display on the LCD display 312 isupdated (step S634), thus bringing an end to the sub-routine. While thissub-routine has concerned with the recording mode, process in theplay-back mode is similarly carried out. The "DOWN switch process"sub-routine is a reverse access process with respect to the "UP switchprocess" noted above.

FIG. 129 shows a flow chart of the "final entry process" sub-routine. Inthis process, a check as to whether the prevailing process position isthe root directory is first done (step S641). If the position is theroot directory, a warning is generated (step S645), thus bringing an endto the sub-routine. If the position is not the root directory, thepointer of high-order directory is read out for moving to the high-orderhierarchical layer directory (step S642). The hierarchy then goes to thehigh-order directory to designate the file shown by the next directoryentry of the directory as the next recording file (step S643). Then, thedisplay on the LCD display 312 is updated (step S644), thus bringing anend to the sub-routine. While the sub-routine has been the "UP switchprocess" in the recording mode, the play-back mode process is a similarprocess.

FIG. 130 shows the "directory UP process" sub-routine. In this process,a check as to whether the prevailing process position is the rootdirectory is first done (step S651). If the position is the rootdirectory, a step S655 is executed to call a "root directory process"sub-routine (see FIG. 132) to be described later. If the position is notthe root directory, the high-order directory pointer is read out formoving to the high-order hierarchical layer directory (step S652). Then,the hierarchy goes to the high-order directory to designate the fileshown by the next directory entry of the directory as the next recordingfile (step S653). Then, the display of the LCD display 312 is updated(step S654), thus bringing an end to the sub-routine. This sub-routinehas been the "directory UP process" in the recording mode, while theplay-back mode process is a similar process. The "directory DOWNprocess" noted above is similar to the "directory UP process". In thiscase, the directory is moved to low-order layer.

FIG. 131 shows a flow chart of the "sub-directory process" sub-routine.In this process, able-to-write entry of sub-directory designated bydirectory entry is designated as recording position (step S661). Then,the display on the LCD display 312 is updated (step S662), thus bringingan end to the sub-routine.

FIG. 132 shows a flow chart of the "root directory process" sub-routine.In this process, a check is first done as to whether the prevailingdirectory is the final entry area (step S671). If so, no file can beregistered in the pertinent directory, and thus a warning is generated(step S674), thus bringing an end to the routine. If the directory isnot the final entry, the next directory entry is designated as therecording position (i.e., recording frame position) (step S672). Then,the display on the LCD display 312 is updated (step S673), thus bringingan end to the sub-routine.

As has been shown, in this embodiment of the DSC image files areclassified with the DOS FAT system and sub-directory structure. Theresults are displayed by tree display with a limit number of operationswitches that can be mounted on the camera and few digit displaysections, thus permitting a directory process of image files making useof the merits of the tree display. For example, it is possible toproduce sub-directories for different themes, such as an image pick-uptrip or a sports meeting. Further, it is possible to group continuouslypicked-up image files as a group distinct from other general images.Further, the file registration state can be recognized with theoperation of the above limited number of switches and also with fewdigit display sections of the camera. These effects are similar to thoseobtainable by the tree display.

The directory information in the memory card used with the DSC of theembodiment may be input to a personal computer for hierarchicaldirectory process thereon.

FIG. 133 is a view showing states of display on the display 312 in adifferent embodiment of the DSC according to the invention. The displayis obtained when selecting a recording-free file as a subject of accessfor recording by operating the frame UP and frame DOWN switches 311b and311c among the operation switches in the recording mode. In the displayshown in (A) in FIG. 133, "01" is displayed in a directory displaysection 3120. This indicates that the image file to be recorded is thefirst file in the root directory (corresponded by the first file in (a)in FIG. 133, the Figure being of the same expression form as that ofFIG. 120). Likewise, in the display shown in (B) in FIG. 133, "02" isdisplayed on the directory display section 3120. This indicates that theimage file to be recorded is the second file of the root directory(corresponded by the second file in (b) in FIG. 133). In the displayshown in (C), "04" is displayed on the directory display section 3120.This indicates that the image file to be recorded is the fourth file inthe root directory (corresponded by the fourth file in (c) in FIG. 133).The file name which is displayed in this way can be corresponded by aframe number, which is one of the features of the embodiment. Thisembodiment of the DSC, unlike what has been described before as comparedwith FIG. 123 or the like, does not have any structure for accessingsub-directories. Thus, the construction is simpler and more inexpensive.Again in this embodiment, like the case of FIG. 122, the "REC" display312c indicates that the camera is in the recording mode.

FIG. 134 is a view showing states of display on the display section 312in the above embodiment of the DSC described in connection with FIG. 133in the play-back operation. In the display shown in (A) in FIG. 134,"01" is displayed on the directory display section 3120. This indicatesthat the image file which is to be played-back is the first file in theroot directory. Likewise, in the display shown in (B), "02" is displayedon the directory display section 3120. This indicates that theprevailing subject of access is the second file in the root directory.In the display shown in (C), a flicker display of "03" is provided onthe directory display section 3120. This means a warning display thatalthough the subject of access is the third file in the root directory,a sub-directory has been set in this file, and this file can not be asubject of play-back in this embodiment of the DSC. In the display shownin (D) in FIG. 134, "04" is displayed on the directory display section3120. This indicates that the subject of access is the fourth file inthe root directory. The display as shown in (C) in FIG. 134 is made forthe following reason. Although the simplified and low cost DSC as theabove embodiment does not have any function of setting or accessingsub-directories, it is possible that a memory card, in which asub-directory has been set through a process by a high level version DSCor by a personal computer, is applied to this simplified DSC. In such acase, the user may be brought to a confusion such as taking theapplication of such memory card as a trouble in the camera. To avoidsuch confusion, some measure is necessary. The display as shown in (C)in FIG. 134 is such a measure. In this embodiment, like the casedescribed before in connection with FIG. 122, the "PLAY" display 312dindicates that the camera is in the play-back mode.

FIG. 135 is a view showing states of display on the display section 312in the DSC mainly in play-back. The display shown in (A) in FIG. 134 isgiven for the sake of convenience of describing the manner of display.More specifically, in this state of display 312, a "REC" display element312c for displaying the setting of the recording mode, a "PLAY" displayelement 312d for displaying the setting of the play-back mode, adirectory display section 3120 and a hierarchic display element 3121 areall in the "on" (display) state. In the display shown in (B) in FIG.135, "01" is displayed on the directory display section 3120. Thisindicates that the image file to be recorded is a file of file name 1 inthe root directory. Likewise, in the display shown in (C), "08" isdisplayed on the directory display section 3120. This indicates that theimage file to be recorded is the eighth file in the root directory.Again in this embodiment, the file name which is displayed in this waycan be corresponded by a frame number, which is a feature of theembodiment. In the display shown in (D) in FIG. 135, "01" is displayedon the directory display section 3120, and "S" is displayed on thehierarchic display section 3121. This indicates that the subjectdisplayed as "01" on the directory display section 3120 is the firstfile in a sub-directory which is one level lower than the root directoryin (B) and (C) in FIG. 135. Likewise, in the display shown in (E) inFIG. 135, "02" is displayed on the directory display section 3120, and"S" is displayed on the Hierarchic display section 3121. This indicatesthat the subject displayed as "02" on the directory display section 3120is the second file in the sub-directory.

The switching of the files as the subject of access, as described in theabove embodiment, is effected by operating the frame UP and frame DOWNswitches 311b and 311c among the operation switches 311.

As has been described in the foregoing, with the electronic imagepick-up apparatus according to the invention, the image file managementis made by using a method, in which directories are set to be convenientfor the file access. Besides, the directories are displayed with displaysections of few digits and few operation switches that are permissibleto be provided on the image pick-up apparatus in view of theportability. Thus, without spoiling the portability of the camera, it ispossible to deftly classify a large number of image files. Further, itis possible to quickly select image data to be played-back.

We claim:
 1. An electronic still camera system for taking pictures andstoring them on an applied storage device, said system comprising:imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon; imageinformation storing means for storing image information represented bysaid image signal issued from said image pick-up means, a format of asignal to be stored being dependent upon a type of said applied storagedevice; external commands receiving means for receiving various commandsfrom an external device connected therewith via a transmission channel;image memory means for providing a temporary storage region and forenabling image processing in said electronic still camera, said imagememory means also being used as a data reception buffer for datacommunication; and executing means for carrying out operationscorresponding to said commands received via said external commandsreceiving means, wherein said executing means revises a subsidiaryinformation concerning to main information stored in this apparatus, onthe basis of commands received via said external command receivingmeans.
 2. An electronic still camera system for taking pictures andstoring them on an applied storage device, said system comprising:imagepick-up means for generating and outputting an image signalphotoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon; imageinformation storing means for storing image information represented bysaid image signal issued from said image pick-up means, a format of asignal to be stored being dependent upon a type of said applied storagedevice; external commands receiving means for receiving various commandsfrom an external device connected therewith via a transmission channel;image memory means for providing a temporary storage region and forenabling image processing in said electronic still camera, said imagememory means also being used as a data reception buffer for datacommunication; and executing means for carrying out operationscorresponding to said commands received via said external commandsreceiving means, wherein said executing means executes writingoperations for subsidiary information in conjunction with imageinformation taken at present, in response to commands received via saidexternal command receiving means.
 3. An electronic still camera systemfor taking pictures and storing them on an applied storage device, saidsystem comprising:image pick-up means for generating and outputting animage signal photoelectrically converted from an image incident thereon;image information storing means for storing image informationrepresented by said image signal issued from said image pick-up means, aformat of a signal to be stored being dependent upon a type of saidapplied storage device; external commands receiving means for receivingvarious commands from an external device connected therewith via atransmission channel; image memory means for providing a temporarystorage region and for enabling image processing in said electronicstill camera, said image memory means also being used as a datareception buffer for data communication; and executing means forcarrying out operations corresponding to said commands received via saidexternal commands receiving means, wherein said executing means revisesmanagement area directory for image information or further subsidiaryinformation stored in this apparatus, on the basis of commands receivedvia said external command receiving means.